I arrived at the Richmond Food Banks depot centre just as a school bus rolled into the large cargo bay door.
Volunteer school bus driver Joanne Berndt grinned as she started to empty the bus of the festively decorated boxes, chock-a-block full of food donations.
For the last 11 years, Richmond School Board bus drivers volunteer their time to pick up donations that students from local schools have been collecting over the last month.
I picked up donations from 40 of our 52 schools, said Berndt. The reason not all the schools took part in the Christmas food drive this year was because 12 of the schools held a very successful Halloween for Hunger Drive.
Those students decided to take part in other fundraising efforts this Christmas.
Nonetheless, Im stunned to see how many boxes are pulled out of the bus.
Is this normal, I asked Rick Younie, an employee of the Richmond Food Bank.
At this time of year it is, he told me. However, we estimate (food) donations are down by about 40 per cent this year, but on the upside, cash donations are up.
That means we can buy items that we lack, for example, baby formula and diapers.
Last Friday, I, along with my Richmond News colleagues, sales representatives Don Grant and Angela Nottingham, spent a few hours helping sort the donations into categories. (Earlier in the day, other News employees also took part).
This was part of the News month-long drive in which we wrote features, collected food and committed our volunteer time to help out the Richmond Food Bank.
After a few instructions from some long-time volunteers, we rolled up our sleeves and started to sort the thousands of canned and boxed goods donated by local residents, schools, businesses and other nonprofit organizations.
Seasoned volunteer Bill Ismond gave us a quick rundown on the set up. The large, temporary facility was filled with large, clearly labeled cardboard bins for canned fish and meats, cereals, tomato products, childrens diapers and formula, cookies and other goodies, and pasta respectively.
For the last eight years, Ismond, a retired banker, leaves his home on the prairies and comes to Richmond for a month. He spends every day and long hours at the food bank.
I come because life has been good to me and I can give back a little, he said, adding he has friends in Richmond he visits while here. I volunteer in whatever capacity they need me to.
As he broke down the never-ending array of cardboard boxes for recycling, Ismond said helping those less fortunate is a win/win proposition.
I get so much joy out of doing this.
Bus driver Berndt agreed.
I very much enjoy getting involved, she said. Its totally exhilarating to do something for your community the kids are so proud and get really excited when they help fill the bus.
Meanwhile, it seemed that as soon as we saw a dent in the pile of donations, another truck would arrive to keep us busy.
I think I speak for all my colleagues here at the News when I say it was gratifying to be involved, even on a small scale, and to meet some of the longtime volunteers.
If you want to learn more about how your donations help the community, call the Richmond Food Bank at 604-271-5609 or visit www.richmondfoodbank.org. If you would like to make a donation before Christmas, its not too late. The food bank is located at 100-5800 Cedarbridge Way, open tonight from 6 to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Richmond Food Bank Wish List:
- Canned meats and fish
- Diapers
- Iron fortified baby formula and canned milk
- Chunky soups
- Peanut butter
- Canned fruits and vegetables
