Every person counts
What makes a good volunteer? It is such a broad question and if you think about the people in your life who selflessly work to make a difference in their communities, qualities such as compassion, empathy, service, and courage might come to mind.
Growing up, I had the opportunity to get involved with local food bank drives in the Ottawa region and the volunteers whom I met left a life-long impression on me for the speed at which they operated, coupled with their grace and kindness, left me in awe.
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
Within the present day food bank network, volunteers make a world of a difference in the quality of service community neighbours receive when visiting. In fact, approximately 40% of all food banks in Canada are entirely run by volunteers, with this proportion being even higher in smaller and rural communities. Without them, essential tasks such as sorting donations, transferring food in and out of vehicles, and distributing food to those in need would be affected for the worse.
“Volunteer burnout is our worst fear because we rely so heavily on our volunteers, and their jobs are turning into regular part and full-time positions because of our increased number of clients. We can't keep up with this level of growth - it's not sustainable.” — HungerCount survey respondent, Ontario
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week in Canada (April 14-20), I invite everyone to join me in a round of applause for the thousands of volunteers behind food security programs from coast to coast. Every single person plays a vital role in keeping the food security ecosystem flowing – and well, they deserve our highest regards as their efforts are the reasons why people in Canada have food on the table.
What alarms me, besides the staggering rates of food insecurity in Canada (growing at a rate of 32% year over year) is the growing risk of volunteer burnout within the food bank network. Demands for food support are only increasing, and high volumes of work coupled with long hours, and the emotional impact of non-stop service can be taxing on food bank operators and their volunteer staff. A safe and supportive work environment can combat and prevent team stress, and my vision is that food bank volunteers have access to free and helpful resources to support their well-being.
If you’re a volunteer reading this post – or know someone who is – here are some pointers to consider to keep your health and well-being in check as you give with your full heart and hands:
1) While working, remember to stick to your allocated breaks and time for rest – grab a healthy snack, drink water, and rest your feet. Call a family member or friend to take a mental break, or, sit in a quiet spot to rest your mind.
2) On snack or meal breaks, take part in light social conversation with your volunteer peers – catching up or sharing personal news offers a mood boost
3) Outside of volunteer hours, schedule routine health and medical appointments for preventative care (especially during flu and cold season)
Photo credit: Food Banks Mississauga
4) Turn to a trusted and confidential source if you have something on your mind – food insecurity affects so many people in a variety of ways, and food bank guests may share personal accounts that might sit on your mind long after you finish a shift. Here’s a free round-up of mental health supports
5) Know that compassion fatigue is a real thing. According to CAMH, compassion fatigue often develops as a result of chronic, repeated demands on our time and energy. Over time, when we do not have a chance to replenish, we can witness a shift in our ability to empathically engage with individuals in need and patients, colleagues and even our loved ones. Know your triggers and make sure to address them with the support of someone you trust.
6) Know your limit: you can only work as much are you’re able too. Speak with your local team if you feel you could use more flexibility and balance – maintaining open and honest forms of communication is a good way of preventing any form of pressure or expectation from piling up
The reality is that food banks play a critical role in keeping Canada fed, nourished, and healthy. The last thing our already fragile food situation in Canada needs is an exodus of volunteers because they’re stretched in ways that may be unsustainable.
My personal and sincere thank you to food bank operator leaders who prioritize the well-being of staff and volunteers who are on the front lines helping millions of families.
And to Canada’s food bank related volunteers, THANK YOU. We are better as a country because of you.
Know of a food bank volunteer you want to publicly recognize?
Please send me an email – we can keep paying tribute long after National Volunteer Week is over. I’ll round up all names and words of recognition and post on my site and social channels.
Looking to support Food Banks Canada as a volunteer?
There are so many ways to get involved, either individually or with your colleagues, family, or friends:
The After the Bell packing days gathers hundreds of corporate volunteers from our sponsoring organizations to assemble thousands of nutritious, child-friendly food packs that will be distributed to 210 communities across Canada.
The Shelve the Hunger Challenge asks corporate teams to come together and raise money for their neighbours in need.
Host a food drive in your neighbourhood, apartment building, social club, or workplace.
Food drives are a great way to collect food donations for local food banks in your community. Popular times of year to organize food drives include the gift-giving seasons in winter and spring, but because giving sometimes declines during the summer months, it is equally important to support your local food bank with donations throughout the year.
Host an online funds drive so that your local food bank can purchase exactly what items they need for the specific communities they support. This can be things like Halal items, vegan and vegetarian products, and more.
Advocate for policies that will reduce the need for food banks long term.
At your local food bank.
