At Daily Bread Food Bank volunteers are at the core of what we do, enabling us to provide emergency food access for the more than one in ten Torontonians who rely on food banks. Last year, 10,651 volunteers donated an incredible 132,925 hours of their time to support our mission. From school students and youth to newcomers and corporate teams, their collective support makes the work that we do possible.
Interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer? Read on to find out how you can create an enriching experience for yourself while making a difference.
Find community: Whether you’re a newcomer looking to establish roots or your work from home arrangement leaves you lacking connection with others, volunteering is a wonderful way to build friendships and meet others with similar interests and values. In a recent survey, we asked volunteers why they choose to volunteer at Daily Bread, and in addition to giving back to others and supporting a cause that they care about, 35% of respondents said that meeting new people and making friends is what encouraged them to get involved.
Stay active: For many volunteers, having an opportunity to get active is what keeps them coming in shift after shift. Whether sorting food, filling agency orders, stocking our onsite food bank, and preparing meals, all offer the opportunity to improve your well-being at your own pace and comfort level.
Harness your skills to support others: In addition to directly helping others, volunteering offers an opportunity to gain more experience in an area where someone would like to expand their skillset or build on their resume. This could include volunteering as an order picker in the Daily Bread warehouse to gain familiarity with the operations sector, volunteering in our onsite food bank for firsthand social services experience, or in the kitchen to sharpen your culinary skills. Each area offers orientation and training, so that you’re well equipped to get started.
Ready to volunteer? Start by checking out our volunteer opportunities and signing up for your virtual info session.
