Rescuing Food and Helping People

• Sponsor: Calgary.isGreen
• Author: Lourdes Juan

Many people think that volunteering for an organization means countless hours and tedious work. It’s a completely different experience with LeftOvers Calgary. Our goal is very simple. Rescue food and bring it to people in need.

The recent Global Volunteer Conference addressed the vital role of volunteers in an increasingly polarized and fragmented world, calling on all sectors to make volunteering a priority and to recognize the contribution of volunteers in making the world a better place. Every non-profit and charity group is crying out for helping hands for a few hours a week. Many cannot carry on vital work without them.

Charities bank on volunteer hours to keep their operations going and could do more, but lack the volunteers to make it happen.

Canadians continue to rise to this challenge, generously volunteering more than two billion hours annually — the equivalent of 1.1 million fulltime jobs. The latest statistics (2010) show that more than 47% of Canadians volunteer an average 156 hours each year. Many Canadians volunteer out of a desire to contribute to their communities, to use their skills and experience, and because they have been personally affected by the cause. (Click herefor a visual representation showing why Canadians volunteer.)

Leftovers Calgary is actively seeking volunteers to help with their exciting project reducing food waste round the city, and delivering it to centres that distribute the food to those who are in need.

There are currently 22 different pick up points with vendors throughout the city and 18 different service agencies that we work with. Volunteers drive to the vendor at the specified time, many of the vendors are flexible so pick ups are conducive to the volunteers schedule. Routes take approximately 1-2 hours, depending on where the pick up and drop off points are.

Thinking of becoming a volunteer? See a list of reasons that will help you make up your mind.

#10: It’s good for you.

Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards. It:

• Reduces stress:Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
• Makes you healthier:Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one’s fate, strengthen the immune system.

#9: It saves resources.

Volunteering provides valuable community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.

• The estimated value of a volunteer’s time is $15.39 per hour.

#8: Volunteers gain professional experience.

You can test out a career.

#7: It brings people together.

As a volunteer you assist in:

• Uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
• Building camaraderie and teamwork

#6: It promotes personal growth and self esteem.

Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy.

#5: Volunteering strengthens your community.

As a volunteer you can help:

• Support struggling families
• Improve schools as the children receive better nutrition
• Support youth as they grow
• Beautify the community by reducing landfill and food waste

#4: You learn a lot.

Volunteers learn things like these:

• Self:Volunteers discover hidden talents that may change your view on your self worth.
• Government:Through working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the functions and operation of our government.
• Community:Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs.

#3: You get a chance to give back.

People like to support community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they care about.

#2: Volunteering encourages civic responsibility.

Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.

#1: You make a difference.

Every person counts!

Contact Lourdes and the team at help@rescuefood.ca and come and be a part of something special.

Here are some photos of all the food that gets rescued!