🚛 Driver Guide

Welcome, food rescue volunteer! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to complete a successful rescue using the Sharing Excess platform. Whether you're a brand new volunteer or just need a refresher, we'll take you step-by-step through the entire process.

🎯 What You'll Learn

By the end of this guide, you'll know how to:

Navigate to pickup and delivery locations
Record food weights and complete transfers
Update rescue status and add important notes
Ensure food safety throughout the process

📱 Before You Start

What You Need:

Access to the Sharing Excess platform (ask your coordinator for login details)
A vehicle suitable for food transport
Basic food safety knowledge
Your phone for navigation and platform updates
Bags, boxes, or containers for food transport
Optional: coolers for temperature-sensitive items

Important Safety Notes:

Always prioritize food safety - keep cold foods cold!
Follow all traffic laws and drive safely
Don't hesitate to contact your coordinator with questions
Take photos if you encounter any issues with food quality

🏠 Step 1: Getting Started

When you first log into the Sharing Excess platform, you'll see the home dashboard. This is your mission control center!

Sharing Excess home dashboard showing rescue overview and navigation options

What you see here:

Current Rescues - Any rescues you're currently assigned to
Recent Activity - Your impact and recent completed rescues
Navigation Menu - Easy access to different parts of the platform

Your Assignment: Your coordinator will assign rescues to you based on your availability and location. You can see basic details like timing, pickup areas, and estimated duration right from this screen.

📋 Step 2: Viewing Your Assigned Rescues

Click on "Rescues" in the navigation to see your assigned rescues. This is where you'll find the rescues your coordinator has assigned to you!

List of assigned rescues showing details like timing, locations, and status

Understanding Your Assigned Rescues:

Date & Time - When your rescue is scheduled
Location Area - The general area where you'll be working
Status - Current status of your assigned rescue
Type - Retail rescues are typical routes, wholesale rescues involve larger quantities

What Each Rescue Shows:

Route - The route you'll be taking on an interactive map
Partners Involved - Which organizations you'll be picking up from and delivering to
Special Instructions - Any important notes about the rescue that your coordinator may have provided

Selecting Your Rescue: Click on your assigned rescue to see more details and begin your mission!

🎯 Step 3: Rescue Details & Getting Started

Once you've selected your assigned rescue, you'll see the detailed view with all the information you need to complete your mission.

Detailed rescue view showing all transfers, locations, and current progress

Understanding Your Rescue:

Transfer List - Each stop you need to make, in order
Collection Transfers - Where you'll pick up food (usually first)
Distribution Transfers - Where you'll deliver food (usually after collections)
Contact Information - Phone numbers for each location
Addresses - Full addresses with GPS coordinates
Notes - Special instructions for each stop

Getting Started:

Review the Route - Look at all your stops to plan your path
Check Timing - Confirm you can complete everything within the scheduled timeframe
Contact Locations - Call ahead if you're running late or have questions
Start Your First Transfer - Click on the first stop to begin!

Pro Tips:

Start with collection transfers - you can't deliver food you haven't picked up yet!
Call locations if you're running more than 15 minutes late
Take photos of any food quality issues you encounter

📦 Step 4: Collection - Picking Up Food

Your first stop is usually a collection transfer - picking up surplus food from a donor partner. This is where the food rescue process begins!

Collection transfer screen showing food pickup details, weight entry, and completion options

Arriving at the Pickup Location:

Find the Right Person - Ask for the contact person listed in the app
Introduce Yourself - "Hi, I'm [Your Name] from Sharing Excess here for the food pickup"
Verify the Food - Make sure it's the food that was arranged for donation
Check Quality - Ensure food is safe and suitable for donation

Recording the Pickup:

Total Weight - Weigh all the food you're collecting (you'll need to use a scale to do this)
Food Categories - Break down the weight by type (produce, dairy, bakery, etc.)
Notes - Make sure to describe the food in detail - we'll use this on receipts later.
Photos - Take pictures if there are any quality concerns

Food Safety Checklist:

✅ Cold foods are still cold (under 40°F)
✅ No signs of spoilage or contamination
✅ Packaging is intact and clean
✅ Food smells normal and looks fresh

Completing the Collection: Once you've loaded the food and recorded all details, mark the transfer as complete. The app will automatically move you to the next step in your rescue!

🚛 Step 5: Between Stops

After completing your collection transfer, you'll see your progress and next steps. Now it's time to head to your delivery locations!

Rescue progress screen showing completed collections and upcoming distribution transfers

What You See:

Completed Transfers - Pickups you've already finished (marked with checkmarks)
Current Transfer - The stop you're working on now
Upcoming Transfers - Remaining deliveries to complete
Total Progress - How much of the rescue is complete

During Transport:

Keep Food Safe - Maintain proper temperatures, especially for dairy and meat
Drive Carefully - You're carrying food that will feed families in need
Update if Delayed - Use the app to add notes if you encounter delays
Plan Your Route - Use GPS to navigate efficiently between locations

Communication Tips:

Call ahead to delivery locations if you're running late
Let recipients know approximately how much food you're bringing
Ask about any special unloading instructions or access requirements
Keep your Sharing Excess coordinator updated on any issues

🏪 Step 6: Distribution - Delivering Food

The final and most rewarding step - delivering rescued food to organizations that will get it to people who need it!

Distribution transfer screen showing delivery details, weight tracking, and completion process

Arriving at the Delivery Location:

Find the Right Person - Look for the contact person listed for this recipient partner
Explain Your Delivery - "Hi, I'm [Your Name] from Sharing Excess with your food delivery"
Help Unload - Work with their team to get food into their facility
Verify Delivery - Make sure they're happy with the quality and quantity

Recording the Delivery:

Weight Delivered - How much food you delivered to this location
Percent of Total Dropped - What percentage of your total rescued food went here
Notes - Any feedback from the recipient or delivery details

Making a Great Impression:

Be friendly and professional - you represent Sharing Excess!
Ask if they have any specific needs for future deliveries
Share the impact - let them know this food might have gone to waste
Take a moment to appreciate the difference you're making

Completing the Distribution: Record all the details and mark the transfer complete. If this was your last stop, congratulations - you've completed a full rescue!

🎉 Mission Complete!

Congratulations! You've successfully completed a food rescue and made a real difference in your community. Here's what happens next:

Immediate Impact:

Families Fed - The food you rescued will provide meals for people in need
Waste Prevented - You saved perfectly good food from going to landfills
Environment Helped - Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from food waste
Community Strengthened - Connected generous donors with helpful recipients

Your Dashboard Updates:

Your completed rescue appears in your history
Impact metrics show your contribution (pounds rescued, meals provided)
Your coordinator can assign you new rescue opportunities
Your volunteer profile shows your growing experience

What's Next:

Wait for Your Next Assignment - Your coordinator will assign you new rescues based on your availability
Share Your Experience - Tell friends and family about food rescue
Provide Feedback - Let coordinators know how the rescue went
Update Your Availability - Let your coordinator know when you're available for future missions

🆘 Troubleshooting & Tips

Common Situations & Solutions

🚫 Food Quality Issues

Problem: Food doesn't look safe or fresh
Solution: Take photos, document concerns, contact your coordinator before proceeding
Remember: When in doubt, don't take it - food safety is always the priority

📱 App Technical Issues

Problem: App won't load or update properly
Solution: Try refreshing, check your internet connection. If nothing's working, you can use the "help" page in the menu to reach out to the tech team immediately.
Backup: Keep coordinator phone numbers handy for manual updates

🕐 Running Late

Problem: Traffic, previous stop took longer than expected
Solution: Call upcoming locations to let them know, update notes in the app
Prevention: Build buffer time into your schedule whenever possible.

📍 Can't Find the Location

Problem: GPS leads to wrong place, unclear address
Solution: Call the location directly, look for business signs, ask locals
Tip: Many locations have specific loading docks or back entrances

Pro Tips from Experienced Drivers

🎯 Efficiency Tips

Plan your route on a map app before starting
Keep basic supplies in your car (scale, bags, cooler, sanitizer)
Take photos of unusual food items for easy categorization
Build relationships with regular pickup/delivery locations

🤝 Relationship Building

Learn the names of regular contacts at each location
Share positive feedback between donors and recipients
Ask about their specific needs and preferences
Be flexible and solution-oriented when issues arise

📊 Accurate Tracking

Estimate weights conservatively when scales aren't available
Take photos of food categories if you're unsure how to classify them
Record detailed notes - they help improve future rescues
Don't worry about perfect precision - your efforts matter most!

🌟 Why Your Work Matters

Every time you complete a rescue, you're part of something bigger:

📈 The Numbers

40% of food in the US goes to waste while millions face hunger
Every 1.2 pounds of rescued food provides approximately one meal
Your average rescue might save 50-200 pounds of food
That's 40-165 meals for families in your community!

🌍 Environmental Impact

Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions
Every pound of food rescued reduces methane emissions from landfills
You're helping create a more sustainable food system
Small actions add up to massive environmental benefits

❤️ Community Impact

You're connecting generous businesses with families in need
Building relationships between different parts of your community
Showing that neighbors care about neighbors
Creating a model for how communities can work together

💪 Personal Growth

Learning about food systems and sustainability
Developing logistics and problem-solving skills
Meeting amazing people committed to helping others
Experiencing the joy of making a tangible difference

📞 Getting Help

Need Support?

Technical Issues: Contact tech support through the app or call your coordinator
Location Problems: Call the specific location directly using contact info in the app
Emergency Situations: Always prioritize safety - pull over and call for help
General Questions: Reach out to your volunteer coordinator or experienced drivers

Resources:

Food Safety Guidelines: Ask your coordinator for detailed food handling training
App Tutorial Videos: Available in the help section of the platform
Volunteer Community: Connect with other drivers for tips and support
Training Sessions: Attend in-person or virtual training opportunities

Remember: Every volunteer started as a beginner! Don't hesitate to ask questions, and know that the community is here to support you as you learn and grow.

🚀 Ready to Make a Difference?

You now have everything you need to complete your assigned food rescues! Remember:

Start with Training - Your coordinator will start you with simpler rescues to learn the process
Stay Safe - Food safety and driving safety are always the top priorities
Ask Questions - The community is incredibly supportive of new volunteers
Have Fun - You're doing amazing work that directly helps your neighbors
Stay Consistent - Regular volunteers make the biggest impact over time

Thank you for joining the fight against food waste and hunger. Every rescue you complete makes our community stronger, more sustainable, and more caring.

Welcome to the Sharing Excess family! 🌱💚

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