Individual Volunteers

Our next application cycle will be open from
Monday, Oct 16th at 9 a.m. to Friday, Nov 3rd 4 p.m. PST.

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.
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Program Packs

Volunteering at the GVFB Warehouse is a dynamic opportunity to support our operations department. This team-oriented production line assembles bags with nutritious items for one of our specialized nutrition programs. We offer three Children's Programs each month and the Seniors' Program, which caters to the needs of our senior clients ages 65+. Click here to learn more about our specialized nutrition programs.

Location:

GVFB Warehouse, 8345 Winston Street, Burnaby

Shift times:
  • Monday to Wednesday; 3-hour shifts
Responsibilities:
  • 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
  • Detail oriented
  • Ability to remain focused in a noisy environment
  • Ability to stand for an extended period of time
  • ability to follow directions and work within a team
  • Ability to adapt to new tasks depending on the operational needs
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift a maximum of 30 lbs.; accommodations can be discussed

Food Distribution

This front-line opportunity directly provides healthy food to clients.
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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 - Indoor site
  • 613 Queens Ave, New Westminster - Indoor site
  • 3454 lougheed hwy, Vancouver - Indoor site
Shift Times:
  • Burnaby -  Friday to Saturday; shifts are 4.5 to 8 hours in length
  • New Westminster - Wednesday; shifts are 4 to 7.5 hours in length
  • Vancouver - Tuesday to Saturday; shifts are 4 to 7.5 hours in length
Responsibilities:
  • Distributing a specific allotment of food to each client
  • Assisting staff and volunteers in welcoming clients, explaining what food is available and creating a safe environment
  • Ensuring the distribution site is clean
  • Assisting the team with restocking stations and breaking down cardboard
  • Setting up and taking down the site materials (tables, signage, product, etc.)
  • Completing other tasks as needed
Requirements:
  • At least 18 years old
  • Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to follow directions and work in a team environment
  • Ability to stand outside for an extended period of time
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift a maximum of 30 lbs; accommodations can be discussed
  • Front-line, retail, or customer service experience is an asset
  • Ability to speak multiple languages is an asset. Please let staff know onsite.

Warehouse Support

Volunteering at the Winston Warehouse is a dynamic opportunity to support our operations department.
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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 Thursday; 3-hour shifts

Responsibilities:
  • Sorting and packing non-perishable donations
  • Organizing 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
  • Organizing and packing diapers
  • And so much more!
Requirements:
  • At least 15 years old
  • Detailed oriented
  • Ability to remain focused in a noisy environment
  • Ability to stand for an extended period of time
  • Ability to adapt to new tasks depending on the operational needs
  • Ability to successfully complete tasks independently; accommodations can be discussed
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift a maximum of 30lbs.; accommodations can be discussed

Agency Restocking

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

Support the Agency team at one of our CAP Markets! You will help restock our market for Community Agency Partners (CAPs). You will practice the FIFO method to restock and merchandise the shelves after the market closes. Tasks can include sorting food deliveries, quality checking dry, fresh, and frozen items, and ensuring items are easily accessible.

Commitment:

4 shifts/month

Location:
  • 1405 Thornton St, Vancouver
  • 8345 Winston St, Burnaby
Shift times:
  • Vancouver - Monday to Friday; 4-hour shift
  • Burnaby - Tuesday to Thursday; 2-hour shift
Responsibilities:
  • Sorting food deliveries before restocking the cooler, freezer and CAP program areas
  • Date and quality checking items based on the FIFO method
  • Re-stocking dry, fresh, and frozen goods to ensure areas are well stocked
  • Staging products to provide easy access during the CAP shopping experience
Requirements:
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management
  • Ability to stand for an extended period of time
  • Ability to follow directions and work under minimal sueprvision
  • Ability to bend, twist, and lift a maximum of 30 lbs; accommodations can be discussed
  • Front-line, retail, or customer service experience is an asset

Community Events

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

Participate in seasonal events that promote the GVFB, educate the public, and generate donations. These opportunities are also great ways to meet new people and experience fun, local events. Your responsibilities could range from setting up grocery store campaigns to helping with 50/50 draws at festivals like Foodstock.

Locations:

Various locations throughout Burnaby, New Westminster, North Shore, 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.

Testimonials

"I feel like I am contributing to a good cause with genuinely good people. I remember seeing a tiktok video of a client from Peru reviewing and preparing the food we had given them, it helped me realize that, although we do not always have time to have lengthy conversations with the clients, our presence does make a change; and that at the end of the day: people have food on their table."
PierreFood Distribution
"I love meeting all kinds of people from different cultures and backgrounds, be that a client, fellow volunteers or full-time staff. It feels like a collaborative effort. I refer to many full-time staff and volunteers as not just colleagues but friends."
AndyFood Distribution
"I realize the value that volunteering brings to both the organization and the volunteer, and I have been lucky enough to be able to schedule my volunteering into my work week."
CaroleAgencies
"Volunteering at the GVFB has allowed me to play a small part in helping food get out to people in need. As a warehouse volunteer, there is always something to do, offering the perfect opportunity to stay active and healthy. It's a mutually beneficial experience where I help those in need and feel good doing it."​
JohnWarehouse
"It was very enjoyable to chat with the clients and work as a team with the staff and other volunteers who were all friendly and made great friends. An additional unexpected bonus was that I am much stronger from lifting potato and onion bags so often!"
StephanieFood Distribution
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