Giving and receiving … what volunteering is all about
Volunteering is just one of those things I’ve always done. I like being helpful. As my children grew, I would usually work with a parent group or society, in the background, supporting their activities and sports, or the church. Now that I am retired, the desire remains to help; however, my options have expanded. In the past two years, I’ve become a regular volunteer at the food bank.
Walking into the Food Bank Society of the Yukon, every week, makes me feel happy and welcome. Emi greets me with a smile and a musical “Hi.” She brightens my day.
“So what do you need me to do today?” I’ll ask.
She has come to understand that means I’m open to just about anything. I told her when I started that I tired easily, so I would be more effective if I could do tasks while seated and not lift heavy things.
She has found lots for me to do keeping that in mind.
I’ve neatly folded reusable grocery bags so they can be piled into alternating bundles of 10, to create boxes of 100. Next year’s task of distributing bags for the food drive, next fall, is now simpler.
From large bags of flour, sugar, oats, coffee and tea, individual- and family-size portions need to be prepared. Last winter, the food bank received ingredients for a hearty soup mix that had to be measured and assembled in bags, which included split peas, barley and a variety of yummy spices. I’d have fun seeing how many I could finish in my two hours there. I could work as fast or as slowly as I felt comfortable doing.
I know and am told that my help is appreciated, and there is always a thank you at the end.
I smile when I think about the groups that have come to help. The groups, usually in the warehouse part of the building, would be given directions on what needed to be done, often assembling hampers. And then the building would start to hum like a hive of bees, as a school group placed items from a list into boxes for the hampers, talking and guiding each other. Little trills of laughter would erupt here and there. I have felt a wonderful sense of community listening to the activity as I continue my own task.
Everyone who’d like to help is welcome. Whatever your ability, a job can be found that will help. From portioning to gardening, to stacking shelves and hampers, there is always work that can help this organization that relies heavily on volunteers.
I’ve met so many interesting individuals there. They are a diverse and cosmopolitan group of people from many ethnicities and walks of life. There are locals and visitors. Some are newcomers who are learning English, but with a mutual desire to help, and we find ways to communicate. I’ve had opportunities to practise my French and Spanish, as a fringe benefit.
I’d say I’m a food-bank lifer.
It started for me when my kids were in school and Maryhouse was running out of food because the need was so great. Every fall and eventually in the spring, as well, school kids and parents, church groups and other volunteers dropped off bags at their neighbours’ doors. The following week they were picked up, filled with groceries and delivered to Maryhouse.
The need in our community and in other communities in the Yukon continued to grow. Over time, the Food Bank Society of Yukon took over. The last I heard, more than 2,100 people were provided a seven-day emergency hamper every month. It’s no longer just Whitehorse, but Dawson, Atlin, Faro, Haines Junction, Carmacks, Watson Lake, Old Crow and Carcross.
So I continue to find time for them. And the gift I receive in return cannot be measured. The ability to contribute and support this caring organization helps me feel, in a small way, that I make a difference and am helping my fellow Yukoners.
