TAYLOR SNELL

Work Experience

On Dec 11 the junior high students and I, from the West Country Outreach School, embarked on a venture to volunteer at the Rimbey Food Bank.

Never have I volunteered at a food bank before so I was very curious and excited to see what the environment would be like including all the hard work that needed to be done. I will discuss the importance of food banks and what I feel about them and my own opinion on how they help to maintain balance in communities. Also I will share the pride, and sense of accomplishment that can come from doing a good deed such as volunteering.

According to information on the internet, the Food Banks of Canada was founded in 1987. Today the organization assists nearly 900,000 Canadians each month of whom 339,000 are children. Food banks all over the world address the short-term need of food and the long-term solutions to reduce hunger. The importance of food banks is great. I feel very happy and positive just knowing the time sacrificed by the many volunteers is very worthwhile because that time is well spent and for a good cause.

It’s beneficial not only to the families receiving the food but to the ones who donate and package it as well.

Many organizations much like the food banks of Canada, help keep balance in communities. Some families need help this time of year, but don’t always have the proper aid or knowledge on where to go for help when in need.

I, and I’m sure many others feel grateful, and remain hopeful for the years to come because of the service provided by food banks. No person deserves to be without food; it’s a basic life necessity. Unfortunately not everyone is able to have a full fridge or not so bare shelves. With the amazing support given by the Rimbey Food Bank, those people don’t have to go hungry this holiday season and can celebrate with some peace at mind.

Leaving our school at 9 a.m. all bundled up, almost looking like little walking pillows was a small price my classmates, teacher Mrs. A, and I had to pay to get to the Nazarene Church in time to help with packaging all the food hampers. When we all arrived it was nothing like I imagined. There were shelves upon shelves of canned goods and enough boxes of Kraft dinner to outweigh an elephant, or so it seemed. We all got the chance to make name tags, and were assigned to a partner. After everyone got the concept of finding food and putting it into the boxes, it went by like a breeze. Two hours went by and all the volunteers took a quick break, giving me the chance to ask some questions. The junior highs of WCORS all enjoyed taking part in helping, all found it educational and heartwarming. I was so proud of every single one of them.

It makes me happy to know that teens, besides me love to create positive change in the community and bring joy to people and their families. All, with only a couple hours of volunteer work, a little elbow grease, and smiles on our faces we helped to reduce the number of hungry people. If we all work together we can make change happen.