Part-Time Event Assistant for Mission-Driven Nonprofit

Position Type: Part-Time (As-Needed)

Location: Corporate headquarters and client sites across NYC

Reports to: Program Coordinator

About Grassroots Grocery

Grassroots Grocery is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing communities together to nourish neighborhoods. Through our innovative programs like Produce Parties and the Great Sandwich Races, we address food insecurity while fostering community connection.

Our Great Sandwich Races are held at prestigious corporate headquarters throughout NYC, including JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, and Pfizer. These events bring together professionals and volunteers to make thousands of sandwiches for communities in need—combining service, teamwork, and fun.

What is The Great Sandwich Race?

The Great Sandwich Race is an engaging, team-building event held at prestigious corporate offices like JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Pfizer. Corporate employees come together in a fun, fast-paced competition to make as many sandwiches as possible in just two hours. These sandwiches are then delivered to community partners across NYC, providing much-needed nourishment to underserved communities. It's a unique way to combine teamwork, service, and social impact—one sandwich at a time!

Position Overview

We are seeking enthusiastic, mission-driven individuals to join our team as Event Assistants for our Great Sandwich Races. This role is ideal for college students or those looking for a meaningful part-time opportunity to give back while gaining experience in professional environments.

As an Event Assistant, you’ll be the face of Grassroots Grocery, representing our growing organization to corporate partners and volunteers. You’ll assist with the setup, execution, and breakdown of these high-energy events while sharing our mission and engaging with participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Setup Assistance:
  • Arrive in professional attire (Grassroots Grocery cap provided).
  • Unpack and organize event supplies, set up the space for the race, and ensure materials are ready for participants.
  • Lift and move boxes (up to 25lbs) as needed.
• Event Support:
  • Help count sandwiches and track totals on a live dashboard.
  • Provide supplies to participants, including hair nets, sandwich spreaders, and gloves.
  • Maintain a clean and organized space during the event.
  • Be a friendly and approachable representative of Grassroots Grocery, answering questions about our mission and building rapport with attendees.
• Breakdown Assistance:
  • Clean up and dispose of materials post-event.
  • Pack up sandwiches and coordinate their handoff to courier partners for distribution.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong connection to Grassroots Grocery’s mission of building community and addressing food insecurity.
• A professional demeanor with fluency in corporate environments.
• Friendly and outgoing personality with excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs for event setup and breakdown.
• Reliable transportation to various corporate sites across NYC.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in event support, nonprofit volunteering, or customer service.
• Passion for mission-driven work and giving back to the community.
• College students or individuals looking for meaningful part-time opportunities encouraged to apply.

Schedule and Timing

• Events are held Monday through Friday and may begin as early as 6:30 AM.
• Total time commitment per event: ~5+ hours (1.5 hours setup, 2-hour event, 1.5 hours breakdown).
• Flexibility to stay until all sandwiches are picked up by couriers is required.
• This is a part-time, as-needed role with no set hours per week. Candidates with weekday availability are encouraged to apply.

Why Join Grassroots Grocery?

This is more than just a part-time job—it’s an opportunity to:

• Make a Difference: Be part of a nonprofit that’s transforming how communities address food insecurity.
• Flexible Scheduling: Fit meaningful work into your schedule, with as-needed hours that work around college or other commitments.
• Network with Top Companies: Work directly at the headquarters of prestigious corporations like JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Pfizer.
• Be the Face of Our Mission: Represent Grassroots Grocery in professional environments, sharing our story and inspiring others to join the movement