After a long pause on our usual volunteer capacity in our warehouse due to pandemic restrictions, we are thrilled to welcome our group volunteers back to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB)!
One of the first groups to join us back in the warehouse is 34F Design Inc. Based in Vancouver, 34F Design Inc. is an interior design firm that goes above and beyond to plan, design, inspire and ultimately create the perfect space for their clients. One of their core values involves collaborative community outreach as a way to give back to others and strengthen their organization.
Since January 2021, 34F was volunteering with our food sort team monthly until COVID-19 restrictions were tightened. Their CEO, Erica Wickes, would gather the 34F team and end their workday early to volunteer with us; she would even go the extra mile to prepare small lunches and snacks for the 34F team!
Erica calls their 34F volunteer experience “a great team collaboration” that is “well structured, organized, and fun!” Above all, the 34F team has found their time at the GVFB extremely educational and eye-opening. The team learned that cash is king at the GVFB after working with all the expired and damaged foods that people donate.
“I came across what I like to call, the “shameful waste bin,” because I spent three hours sorting and dividing expired food into the organic waste bin,” Erica explains.
Did you know that it costs us to have our donated food waste properly recycled and composted? Luckily, we can ensure that our organic food waste is being converted to nourishing fertilizer with our partnership with Refeed Canada.
While we appreciate food donations, please note that we are unable to accept:
- Homemade food
- Expired food
- Products containing alcohol
- Open packages or damaged food items
- Perishable food items.
If you would like to support the GVFB, instead of food donations, monetary donations are highly encouraged.
Erica and the 34F team continue each month to experience firsthand the hard work that goes into sorting through the countless bins of food donations.
“If you want to donate healthy non-perishable food to the Food Bank, buy it right away and donate it. Otherwise, cash is number one. If you are unable to donate, come down and volunteer with us!”
Erica and the 34F team encourage other organizations to volunteer at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and make it a regular corporate team event!
Whether you are volunteering with your coworkers or with a group of friends, we’d love to have you! To register your volunteer group, visit our page here.
