Shining a light on Waterloo region volunteers that help community and local food banks

Food bank services in Waterloo region help hundreds of families secure healthy and nutritious food every day — and volunteers play a crucial role in making that happen.

Many people work behind-the-scenes, packing hampers or unloading food. Others work in kitchens or drive the trucks that bring food to and from the food banks.

This year, more families are accessing food supports. In Waterloo region, one in 14 families have used food bank programs in 2022, compared to one in 20 in 2021, according to an annual report by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

"There's definitely the need ... The food comes in and it's gone," said Michele Gorel, a volunteer with the food bank since 2017.

Looking for ways to give back to her community, Gorel said she got started at the food bank thanks to her sister-in-law and son-in-law, who also volunteer.

"I just started sorting food and worked my way up to what I'm doing now," she said. Gorel puts together perishable orders that go to community organizations supported by the food bank, like Anishnabeg Outreach, House of Friendship and OneRoof Youth Services. 

Gorel puts a lot of thought into how she crafts those orders as well.  

"I like to do it as if I was receiving that order. What would I like to see in that order? That's how I build my [orders]," she said.

The friendships and atmosphere at the food bank is what keeps her coming back every week. 

"The volunteers, we're community, we're friends and we get along well," she said. 

Volunteering at the food bank has also made her appreciate food that much more. She tries not to waste any food.

"I make sure everything in my fridge gets used and I don't throw anything out," she said. "Ok, today I have this in my fridge and I'm going to use that because I don't want it to spoil because I know somebody else could have used it."

'Helping people if I can'

Paul McMenemy has been a volunteer with the Cambridge Food Bank for two years. As a member of the Rotary Club of Cambridge Preston Hespeler, McMenemy started when the food bank reached out for volunteers.

Lately, McMenemy has been helping out with the food bank's mobile food market, which goes to communities across Cambridge and North Dumfries to provide produce at an affordable price.

McMenemy has made his volunteer role part of his weekly routine. Helping out with the mobile food market, he's seen the impact it's made for people.

"I think there are people that are really grateful for the price of the produce because everything is so expensive right now," he said.

"You go to the grocery store, you can't get a bag of dozen potatoes for five dollars," he said. 

But for McMenemy, it's all about giving back to the people in his hometown.

"I'm a veteran and part of that is that I've [been to] places in the world where I've seen less fortunate people," he said. "Being a Rotarian, it's about giving back to the community."

"For me, this is about helping people if I can. I don't know another way," he added.

Sounds of the Season is our annual holiday fundraiser in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Our goal is to raise money, donations and awareness for those facing food insecurity in Kitchener-Waterloo.