Engagement + Outreach Intern

Job Description

Mary's Meals is a successful global movement that transforms the lives of chronically poor children with a simple meal at school. These life-changing meals attract hungry children into the classroom. The food fills their empty bellies so they have the energy and opportunity to learn, giving them the chance for a brighter future. The meals also support families struggling to feed their children while boosting the country's wider economy. Working collaboratively with local communities, Mary's Meals International establishes school feeding programs that attract poor children into the classroom, where they receive an education that can free them from a lifetime of poverty. Sourcing food locally whenever possible, Mary's Meals operates in some of the world's poorest and most remote or conflict-ridden communities. As of August 2026, Mary's Meals programs are feeding more than 3 million children every school day across 16 countries. The collaborative Mary's Meals feeding program is particularly efficient and scalable, providing a model that is a sustainable means to end world hunger. Mary's Meals USA provides grants to Mary's Meals International (MMI) to fund the school feeding programs.

Our vision
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.

Our mission
To enable people to offer their money, goods, skills, time, or prayer, and through this involvement, provide the most effective help to those suffering the effects of extreme poverty in the world's poorest communities.

Our values
Confidence in the innate goodness of people - respect the dignity of every human being and family life - good stewardship of resources entrusted to us.

Mary's Meals USA

Mary's Meals USA raises awareness and funds to support school feeding programs in some of the world's poorest countries, where hunger and poverty prevent children from getting an education.
Mary's Meals USA's headquarters is in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The Engagement + Outreach Intern position is fully remote.

Purpose of the role
This is a key support role in the development and implementation of Mary's Meals USA's engagement, outreach, and awareness-raising activities.

The individual in this role will primarily support the growth of Mary's Meals USA's Programs + Events, helping to identify and pursue opportunities to share the mission of Mary's Meals with parishes, dioceses, and other institutions across the country. This will include researching Mission Cooperative Programs, tracking application requirements and deadlines, assisting with applications and outreach, maintaining accurate records, and supporting the coordination of approved appeals.

The Engagement + Outreach Intern will work closely with the Programs team to help strengthen and expand Mary's Meals' presence within Catholic communities across the United States. The individual will assist in building and maintaining relationships with dioceses, parishes, volunteers, and other partners while helping ensure engagement opportunities are effectively organized and followed through from initial research to completion.

The intern will provide support for other engagement and outreach initiatives as needed. This may include conferences, regional events, volunteer and Ambassador engagement, special experiences, asset coordination, research, data management, and other projects that help increase awareness of and support for Mary's Meals.

This is a part-time internship averaging approximately 20 hours per week, reporting to the Programs Coordinator within the Advancement Department. Weekly hours may fluctuate based on seasonal needs, program activity, and key events throughout the year, with some weeks requiring more or fewer hours than the typical schedule. Flexibility will be discussed and coordinated in advance with the Programs Coordinator.

We are seeking a candidate who can commit to the role for at least one year, allowing the intern to develop a strong understanding of Mary's Meals' programs, build meaningful relationships, and take increasing ownership of projects over time. The position will provide hands-on experience in nonprofit outreach, program coordination, relationship management, research, and project administration while contributing directly to the growth of the Mary's Meals movement in the United States.

Principle duties
Research dioceses throughout the United States to identify Mission Cooperative Program opportunities.

Research application processes, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and diocesan contacts.

Maintain an organized and up-to-date Mission Appeals tracker, including applications, deadlines, approvals, assignments, and follow-up needs.

Assist with preparing and submitting Mission Appeal applications and required supporting materials.

Draft and organize correspondence with diocesan Mission Offices, parishes, speakers, and volunteers.

Follow up on outstanding applications and requests as appropriate.

Maintain accurate contact information and records in Salesforce and other internal systems.

Assist with coordinating approved Mission Appeals, including parish information, dates, speaker assignments, materials, and logistical details.

Prepare information and resources for staff members, ambassadors, or volunteers representing Mary's Meals at appeals.

Help track appeal results and ensure appropriate post-appeal follow-up and documentation.

Identify opportunities to improve and streamline the Mission Appeals process.

Assist in developing templates, checklists, procedures, and other resources that support the continued growth of the program.

Researching conferences, events, diocese, parishes, vendors, and potential engagement opportunities.

Supporting preparation and logistics for conferences and regional events.

Assisting with volunteer and ambassador communications.

Preparing event materials, information packets, checklists, and other resources.

Assisting with volunteer and ambassador communications.

Preparing event materials, information packets, checklists, and other resources.

Supporting asset and inventory coordination for events and outreach activities.

Assisting with special experiences, trips, pilgrimages, or ambassador gatherings.

Updating calendars, spreadsheets, Salesforce records, project trackers, and internal documentation.

Assisting with data entry, research, mailings, and other administrative projects.

Supporting special projects and emerging program needs as assigned.

Skills & Experience requirements
Understanding of Mary's Meals values and a deep love for Mary's Meals mission

Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

Comfort conducting independent research and organizing large amounts of information.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to manage deadlines and multiple ongoing projects.

Initiative and the ability to work independently after receiving direction.

Comfort communicating professionally by email, phone and Teams.

Experience with Microsoft Words, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Willingness to learn Salesforce and other internal systems.

Enthusiasm for and alignment with the mission and values of Mary's Meals.

Preferred Experience

Experience with nonprofit organizations, campus ministry, Catholic organizations, event planning, project coordination, Salesforce, or volunteer programs.

About the Employer

Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.

Working together with those who share our vision, we believe there is no good reason why this cannot be realized.