Individual Volunteers

Thank you to everyone who applied to support the GVFB Volunteer Program. We have received an overwhelming response and we are very grateful for your support. As of February 21st, we will pause our intake for individual applications and will reopen based on operational needs.

Volunteer Opportunities

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Program Packs

This is a team-oriented production line where your group will fill bags with nutritious items for one of our specialized nutrition programs.

Program Packs

This is a team-oriented production line where your group will fill bags with nutritious items for one of our specialized nutrition programs. We offer three Children’s Programs each month: Baby Steps (Age 0 – 2), Preschooler Packs (Age 2 – 5), and Grade Schooler Packs (Age 6 – 12). Our newest specialized nutrition pack, the Seniors’ Program, caters to the needs of our senior clients ages 65+. Click here to learn more about program packs.

Group size:

Maximum 6 volunteers

Location:

GVFB Warehouse, 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby

Shift times:
  • Monday; 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday-Thursdays; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tasks:
  • Assembling nutrition packs
  • Setting up/taking down the production line
  • Restocking the production line
  • Assisting with other warehouse-related tasks as needed
Requirement:
  • At least 15 years old
  • Wear closed-toe shoes onsite
  • Able to stand for an extended period of time

Food Distribution

This front-line opportunity directly provides healthy food to clients.

Food Distribution

Distribution volunteers work together to directly provide healthy food to clients. It is a highly rewarding role that provides weekly assistance to individuals, couples and families in need.

Locations:
  • 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby (Thursday-Saturday) - Outdoor site
  • 613 Queens Ave, New Westminster (Wednesday) - Indoor site
  • 295 Terminal Ave, Vancouver (Tuesday-Saturday) - Indoor/outdoor site
Shift Times:

Tuesday to Saturday; shifts are 4 to 7.5 hours in length and vary at each location

Tasks:
  • Distributing food to clients
  • Ensuring clients, donors and agencies know where to go and park
  • Assisting staff and volunteers in welcoming clients, explaining what food is available and communicating GVFB policies and procedures
  • Ensuring the distribution site is clean
  • Assisting the team with restocking and cardboard breakdown
  • Setting up and taking down the site materials (tables, signage, product, etc.)
  • Other tasks as needed
Requirements:
  • At least 18 years old
  • Must wear closed-toe shoes onsite
  • Able to stand for an extended period of time
  • It is a bonus if you speak multiple languages!

Warehouse Support

Volunteering at the Winston Warehouse is a dynamic opportunity to support our operations department.

Warehouse Support

Volunteering at the GVFB Warehouse is a dynamic opportunity to support our operations department. We adapt these shifts to support our daily operational needs and provide opportunities to explore various tasks.

Location:

8345 Winston Street, Burnaby

Shift times:

Monday to Friday; 9:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Tasks:
  • Sorting and packing non-perishable donations
  • Quality checking fresh donations into palletized categories
  • Building orders of fresh/non-perishable items
  • Cleaning the warehouse (washing bins, dusting racking, refilling sanitizer bottles, etc.)
  • Quality checking and packing bread donations
  • Restocking the cooler, freezer, and bulk shelves
  • Organizing and packing diapers
  • And so much more!
Requirements:
  • At least 15 years old
  • Must wear closed-toe shoes onsite
  • Able to work in noisy conditions

Agency Restocking

Support the Vancouver Community Agencies (CAP) Market by staging, date checking and reorganizing the dry, fresh and frozen shelves.

Agency Restocking

Support the Vancouver Community Agencies (CAP) Market by staging, date checking and reorganizing the dry, fresh and frozen shelves. This site provides food to local Agency partners and their community members on a weekly basis.

Commitment:

4 shifts/month

Location:

1405 Thornton St, Vancouver

Shift times:
  • Monday; 9:00 am – 11:00 am
  • Tuesday and Wednesday; 8:30 am - 11:00 am, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Thursday and Friday; 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tasks:
  • Sort food deliveries before restocking the cooler, freezer and Agency program areas
  • Date and quality check items based on the FIFO method
  • Re-stock dry, fresh, and frozen goods to ensure areas are well stocked
  • Stage products appropriately to provide easy access for Agencies shopping
Requirements:
  • At least 16 years old
  • Can work independently
  • Must wear closed-toe shoes onsite
  • Can stand for an extended period of time
  • Able to adapt to ambient temperatures and noisy conditions

Agencies Distribution Support

Our Vancouver and Burnaby markets provide weekly pick-ups for 118 Community Agency Partners.

Agencies Distribution Support

Volunteer directly with Community Agency Partners while they build their weekly orders. This customer service role is an opportunity to connect with other non-profits and support their community’s needs.

Commitment:

4 shifts/month

Locations:

8345 Winston Street, Burnaby & 1405 Thornton Street, Vancouver

Shift times:

Tuesday to Friday; 8:30 am – 11:30 am

Tasks:
  • Greet and support agency partners with their weekly orders
  • Assist agencies with navigating various areas of the warehouse: freezer, cooler, Basic Pantry, Bulk Shelf
  • Share information about products and special menu items
  • Share GVFB garden products with agencies and discuss the survey attached
  • Ensure the warehouse is kept tidy by sanitizing carts in between pickups, recycling empty boxes and any other tasks required
  • Restocking shelves with fresh and dry food products
Requirements:
  • At least 18 years old
  • Can work independently
  • Must wear closed-toe shoes onsite
  • Has customer service or front-line experience
  • Can provide clear communication and instructions
  • Able to adapt to ambient temperatures and noisy conditions
  • Can stand for an extended period of time

Community Events

Throughout the year we hold community events to promote the GVFB, educate the public about what we do and generate donations.

Community Events

Throughout the year we hold community events to promote the GVFB, educate the public about what we do, and generate donations. Volunteer opportunities can range from setting up at grocery store campaigns to helping with 50/50 draws at festivals and seasonal events like Fore for Food.

Locations:

Various locations throughout Burnaby, New Westminster, North Vancouver, and Vancouver.

Shift times:

Varies depending on the event.

Requirements:

Depends on the event. Customer service, food and beverage, retail and/or events experience is helpful.