VOLUNTEERING @ the WEST END FOOD BANK
 
Thanks to volunteers, the West End Food Bank is able to meet the needs of the area.  Each year, we help to feed many people in need of food assistance, as well as generating hope and help where we can. This would not be possible without the generosity and enthusiasm of many volunteers.
 

The 'individual' placement process consists of (but not limited to) the following guidelines
(subject to be modified or change without notice on this website).
 
A resume or letter of intent by the potential volunteer
An interview
An orientation (walk-thru) of our facilities
A reference letter (depending on the position)
A criminal record check (depending on the position)
 
You will be notified of a possible placement shortly after your application and interview have been completed and processed. 
 
 
 
We offer volunteer opportunities for Groups, Organizations, Associations, Clubs or Church Groups. These volunteer opportunities are designed to ensure that each group participant grows as an individual as well as a team player, creating deeper more lasting bonds between group members.
 
* For Groups, Organizations, Associations, Clubs or Church Groups that would like to take on an event, or volunteer, please contact the food bank manager:  manager@wefb.org
 

Thanks to thousands of volunteers, the West End Food Bank is able to meet the food needs of it's clients improve the quality of life in the area. Each month, the food bank helps by providing approximately 3,000 meals to people in need of food assistance. This would not be possible without the generosity and enthusiasm of caring individuals and membership with Food Banks Canada and the NBAFB (New Brunswick Association of Food Banks. That is why the food bank opens its doors and offers great volunteer opportunities to individuals, students, families, groups and corporations that want to help their community, acquire new skills, and gain valuable experience.

THE PLACEMENT PROCESS

We have a volunteer placement process at the food bank.  It is a simple process that ensures that you, as a volunteer, get the most out of your volunteer experience and that the food bank benefits from your skills and talent.

The placement process consists of:

  • Filling out an application
  • A brief interview
  • A reference check depending on the position
    You will be notified of your first placement shortly after your application and interview have been completed and processed.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

For Individuals...

The Food Bank is an excellent place to expand your horizons and increase social awareness. As a volunteer with the Food Bank you will put to work your skills and talent, meet great new people, and gain valuable experience. You will find that we offer a wide range of volunteer positions and flexible hours that can be matched to your needs.
 
Reference Chart - Individuals

Activity Description Dates Time Requirements
Special Event Assistants
 Assist with various aspects of special events including event co-ordination and collecting donations. Year Round - Peak Time during Food Drives Flexible Schedule. Some daytime, evening, and weekend hours.
Speakers Bureau
 Public speaking - Deliver the message of The Food Bank to schools, service clubs and organizations. Year Round Flexible Schedule. Some daytime, evening and weekend hours. Full training and tool kit provided.
Cleaning Food Bank,  Office, Vehicle and Trailer
 Year Round
 Daytime Shifts
8:30am-4:30pm
Drivers Assist with pick up of community food donations, unloading truck, weighing food. Some lifting required.
 Year Round Daytime Shifts
8:00am12:00pm

12:00pm4:00pm
Food Assistant
 Assist driver with pick up of community food donations, unloading truck, weighing food. Some lifting required. Year Round Daytime Shifts
7:00am-1:00pm

8:00am-12:00pm

12:00pm-4:00pm
Team Leaders
 Supervision and support for the Group sorting process. Thanksgiving and Spring Food Drives Daytime and Evenings between 8:30am-8:30pm. Various shifts available.
Administrative Assistant
 Provide administrative support. Reception duties. Year Round Monday to Friday - Various Shifts

Daytime 8:30am-12:30pm

12:30pm-4:30pm
Food Bank Associate
 Provide assistance in food bank with donations, customer service and various duties. Year Round Flexible hours. 8:30am-12:30 pm, 12:30-4:30pm
Food Drive Assistant
 Preparation for Food Drives.

Act as a liason with community partners and organizations.		 Spring Food Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive Daytime Shifts 8:30am-4:30pm
Educational Night Team
 Preparation of evening activity for children under 12 years of age. Tour of food bank. Lead or assist with activity. Year Round Evenings
 


For Groups...

We offer volunteer opportunities for Groups, Organizations, Associations, Clubs or Church Groups. These volunteer opportunities are designed to ensure that each group participant grows as an individual as well as a team player, creating deeper more lasting bonds between group members. We have found that groups benefit to a greater extent if their participation includes more than one type of Food Bank activity, and so we recommend that you consider your involvement in more than one assignment.
 
Reference chart - Groups

Activity Description Dates Time Requirements


Food Sorting
 Sort food, pack boxes and move product in food bank for storage. Thanksgiving Food Drive
Spring Food Drive
Christmas 		Daytime and Evenings.
8:30am-8:30pm

Various shifts available
Community Outreach
 Hang posters, distribute Food Drive bags, and hand out shopping lists to promote our Food Drives. Thanksgiving Food Drive, Holidays - December,
Spring Food Drive		 Daytime and Evenings.
8:30am-8:30pm

Various shifts available
Fundraising Events
 Help collect and ask for food and cash donations at various events.

Pancake Breakfast

Yard Sales
BBQs

 		  
Delivery Help pick up food donations during food drives Thanksgiving Food Drive

Christmas

Spring		  
 


For Youth...

Opportunities are also available to Youth Groups of all ages. Please refer to the Group Agreement for more information about supervision requirements for youth groups. We feel that youth group members would benefit more from their volunteer experience at the food bank if their participation consists of a combination of various activities.

Please note that participants under 12 years of age will not participate in traditional sorting due to our health and safety policies. Instead, these groups will be invited to the food bank for an educational evening including a tour, introduction to the food bank and our mission, and some hunger and poverty statistics to raise awareness. The participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in a hands-on activity to emphasize the need for food assistance in our community.

For Families...

At the food bank we like to welcome families to our Volunteer Team. We recognize the importance of the family unit and realize that helping out at the Food Bank is a great family bonding activity as well as a great awareness tool. That is why we are willing to organize Family Volunteer nights where you and your loved ones can enjoy the volunteer experience in a relaxed family-oriented atmosphere.


 
Reference Chart - Families

 
Activity Description Dates Time Requirements
Food Sorting
 Sort food, pack boxes and move product in food bank for storage Fall Food Drive
Spring Food Drive
Christmas  		Daytime and Evenings.
8:30am-9:00pm Various shifts available
Community Outreach
 Hang posters, distribute Food Drive bags, and hand out shopping lists to promote our Food Drives Thanksgiving Food Drive
Spring Food Drive		 Daytime and Evenings.
8:30am-9:00pm Various shifts available
 


For Students...

The food bank offers many opportunities to students needing to complete their 40 hours of community involvement. There are, however, a limited number of spaces and project to work on at times. 
 
Reference Chart - Students
 
Activity Description Dates Time Requirements
Special Events Assistants
 Assist with various aspects of special events. Year Round Flexible Schedule.
Some daytime, evening, and weekend hours.
Community Outreach
 Hang Posters, distribute food bags, and hand out shopping lists to promote food drives. Thanksgiving Food Drive
Spring Food Drive 		Daytime and Evenings. 8:30am-9:00pm. Various shifts available.
Fundraising Help collect and ask for food and cash donations at various events.

Pancake Breakfast

Yard Sales
BBQs
Various
Team Leaders
 Supervision and support for the Group sorting process. Thanksgiving and Spring Food Drives Daytime and Evenings. 8:30am-9:00pm. Various shifts available.

Food Bank -

General Assistance

 Assist with moving products in the food bank. Year Round Daytime Only 8:30am-4:30pm
Youth Committee
 Youth (14-24years) needed for leadership roles in special events, fundraising, food bank, public speaking. Year Round Various



For Business Groups...

Businesses can also take advantage of our volunteer opportunities at the food bank. Our team-oriented activities will develop stronger leadership and interpersonal skills among your team. Not only that, but it will provide your team with an opportunity to use existing knowledge in a completely new setting. The impact of your team's contribution to the community will be great as it will increase social awareness and improve understanding and co-operation between your company and the public.

A few points worth considering:

  • The majority of Canadian consumers prefer to buy from companies that are good corporate citizens. That is to say, that they support companies that are socially responsible.
  • Volunteerism increases employee productivity, improves their morale and helps build a good corporate image.
  • If your business is interested in sending a volunteer team to West End Food Bank, a presentation can be arranged at your workplace. A Food Bank representative will provide your employees with information about our organization and our mandate, and also emphasize the importance of corporate involvement in the development of the community.
In addition, throughout the year a number of different positions are created according to our needs.

SAFETY

The safety of our volunteers is very important to us. We a have a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure that groups and individuals work in a safe environment and receive proper orientation and training.

We seek to:

  • Establish a healthy and safe work environment
  • Ensure every volunteer receives training and orientation necessary to minimize risks
  • Comply with all federal, provincial and municipal laws relating to the health and safety of our volunteers and our organization