Case Study: Serving Safely at Manna
Tools Used in Development: Articulate Rise 360, Canva, Adobe Premiere Pro, Audacity, PowerPoint, Word, GoogleSuite, MindMeister
Scope of Project: Analysis, design, and development of 2 eLearning Courses, 1 Video, and 2 Job Aids Time in Development: ~200 hours Client: Manna Soup Kitchen, Durango, CO Collaborators: Executive Director, Executive & Asst. Chefs, Resource Center Development Manager, Volunteers |
Executive Summary
Manna, a non-profit based in Durango, CO, focuses on assisting individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The success of Manna's food program relies heavily on the commitment of volunteers who assist the Chef by preparing food, organizing the Food Market, and serving daily meals to program participants. However, many of these volunteers require frequent supervision from the Chef to ensure tasks are performed correctly, compassionately, and safely. To address this challenge and reduce the Chef's supervisory workload, a comprehensive orientation program has been developed. This program aims to empower volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve compassionately with minimal supervision, while adhering to food safety regulations. The training solution comprises two eLearning courses, one instructional video, and two job aids to reinforce the training onsite. Challenge Manna's volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, with varying ages and levels of experience. While many possess a passion for cooking, they often lack professional kitchen experience and familiarity with commercial food safety protocols. Consequently, volunteers require significant coaching as they are unsure of where to locate items and may lack the ability to independently and safely carry out tasks. Additionally, older volunteers may face challenges in using technology, while younger volunteers prefer short, mobile-friendly microlearning experiences. Solution After extensive consultation with leadership, conducting interviews with employees and volunteers at different levels, and organizing the wealth of safety information provided, a two-part eLearning course was developed, along with a supporting video and job aids to reinforce the training on-site. Part One of the training provides a brief orientation to Manna, outlining the organization's vision and the volunteer's role within it. It also includes a virtual tour of each area to familiarize volunteers with their surroundings. Part Two focuses on instructing volunteers on serving in specific areas, incorporating contextual scenarios to demonstrate food safety protocols. Scenario-based assessments evaluate learners not only on their knowledge of the locations but also on their ability to perform tasks in each area while adhering to important food safety guidelines. Results Manna's Executive Director expects that this training program will reduce the amount of time the Chef spends supervising volunteers by 35% over the next year. The training will equip 500 volunteers to effectively serve in Manna's kitchen, take-out window, and food market. Ultimately, this will positively impact over 1700 individuals at risk of homelessness and food insecurity in Durango, CO. By empowering volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge, Manna will enhance its ability to serve the community more efficiently and effectively. |