Group Volunteers

We are looking for Fresh Food Sort volunteers to help with quality checking and categorizing perishable fruit, vegetables, dairy, and deli donations. This food-focused role is great for individuals that want to help rescue food!

 Age requirement:

• 16+

Shift times:

• Monday-Thursday, 1 pm-4 pm
• Friday, 9 am-1 pm and 1 pm-4 pm
• Schedule varies depending on the week

Location:

• 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby

Maximum Group Size:

• 3 people

Responsibilities:

• Quality check donated perishables, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, and deli products, adhering to GVFB food safety and best before date practices;

• Dispose of non-consumable products into appropriate waste streams (compost, recycling, ReFeed bins);

• Move pallets with a manual pallet jack (training provided onsite);

• Wrap, weigh, and label sorted pallets;

• Cleaning the fresh sort room at the end of each shift; emptying waste bins, wiping all surfaces and mopping the floor;

• Safely handle spoiled food items, which could involve dealing with mold;
• Efficiently complete other food sort-related tasks as assigned by the Sort Associate.

Requirements:

• Detail-oriented to ensure that food is accurately quality checked;

• Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and safety guidelines to ensure the quality of preserved food;

• Ability to work independently and perform tasks in a timely manner;

• Ability to collaborate effectively with a small team of volunteers;

• Ability to use manual pallet jack or a willingness to learn how to use (training provided by staff on-site).

• Ability to stand for three hours;

• Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs safely;

• Ability to complete repetitive tasks;

• Comfortable working in a temperature-controlled environment (typically set at 4 to 10 degrees Celsius).  Jackets and gloves are provided onsite.
• Contact volunteer@foodbank.bc.ca to discuss accommodations.

Support the Agencies team at one of our community markets! Volunteers help restock the markets during and after pick-ups to ensure shelves are filled with a variety of fresh, frozen, and pantry products.  

Group size:

Maximum 5 volunteers

Location:

Vancouver Agencies Market: 3454 Lougheed Hwy

Shift times:

• Monday; 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• Wednesday; 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Tasks:

• Quality check and sort perishable (fresh) and non-perishable (dry) deliveries before restocking shelves;
• Efficiently organize food to ensure proper placement and easy access;
• Rotate items based on first in, first out (FIFO) method;
• Ensure areas are well stocked and merchandised to GVFB standards;
• Sweep and clean the facility to maintain GVFB standards;
• Monitor parking lot and provide directions to Agencies and vehicles as needed
• Recycle packaging and compost spoiled food.

Requirements:

• At least 16 years old
• Can work independently
• Must wear closed-toe shoes onsite
• Ability to stand for two to four hours (depending on shift length); 
• Ability to periodically work in a cooler and freezer (adequate jackets and gloves are provided); 
• Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 40 lbs safely. 

This front-line opportunity provides direct food support to those in need.

As a Distribution Volunteer, you will help staff and volunteers provide efficient food support to clients. In this role, you will focus on the flow of operations and be quite active during your shift. Tasks include line management, restocking supplies, distributing menu items, program packs, and cleaning duties. Sign up today and experience a fast-paced, front-line role that directly supports the community!

Age Requirement:

• 18+

Locations:

• 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby
• 3454 Lougheed Hwy, Vancouver

Maximum Group Size:

• Burnaby – 5 people
• Vancouver – 10 people

Responsibilities:

• Create a positive and welcoming experience for clients and provide any organizational updates;
• Distribute menu items and follow allotment requirements;
• Sweep and clean the distribution site and ensure all sharp objects (ie. Box cutters) are put away;
• Restock food stations for fellow volunteers;
• Recycle packaging and compost spoiled food;
• Monitor parking lot and provide directions to clients and vehicles;
• Understand and follow safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment;
• Sorting and quality checking fresh donations;
• Completing other distribution-related tasks as requested by staff.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience: 

• Proficient in speaking English and able to comprehend instructions in English;
• Ability to interact with the public in a respectful manner;
• Front-line, retail, or customer service experience is an asset;
• Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively within a team environment;
• Flexibility to support where needed in a dynamic environment;
• Efficiently complete tasks and meet deadlines to keep operations running smoothly;
• Ability to handle busy periods calmly and effectively;
• Ability to follow directions and work independently.

Physical Abilities:

• Ability to stand for four hours;
• Capability to perform repetitive tasks;
• Ability to bend, lift, and twist safely up to 40 lbs. Lifting may be required depending on the task.
• Contact volunteer@foodbank.bc.ca to discuss accommodations.

We are looking for Warehouse Support volunteers to help with a wide variety of tasks that focus on processing donations, palletizing orders, and light cleaning. This is a dynamic role that can change to meet our daily operational needs.

Age Requirement:

• 15+

Group size:

• Maximum 8 volunteers depending on availability

Location:

• GVFB Warehouse; 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby

Shift times:

• Monday to Thursday
• 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-4 pm
• We cannot accommodate shorter shifts.

Responsibilities:

• Quality checking and sorting perishable (fresh) and non-perishable (dry) donations. 
• Packing sorted donations into boxes
• Palletizing orders for deliveries 
• Following composting procedures 
• Organizing and repackaging diapers for orders 
• Dust the racking and clean (sweep and mop) the floor to ensure functional areas are clean
• Understanding and following safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment
• Assist with other warehouse-related duties as assigned by Sort Associates

Requirements:

• Ability to work in a noisy environment, active machinery will be present during the shift;
• Attention to detail is required for identifying expired or spoiled items;
• Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively within a team environment;
• Flexibility to support where needed in a dynamic environment;
• Efficiency in completing tasks and meeting deadlines to keep operations running smoothly;
• Ability to stand for three hours;
• Ability to bend, twist, and lift up to 30 lbs safely;
• Contact groupvolunteering@foodbank.bc.ca to discuss accommodations.