Neighbours Helping Neighbours
When you volunteer one weekly 3 – 4 hour shift, you contribute to improved food access and skills for low-income families while connecting with community-minded neighbours like you.
To become involved as a volunteer, see the AVAILABLE volunteer role descriptions, along with the steps listed in ‘How to volunteer (as easy as 1, 2, 3!)‘ below, and leave us a note via the ‘Ask us about a volunteer role‘ form.
THANK YOU so much to our neighbours that have been so generous! This past year, the many offers to help became 25,000 hours of service, contributed by over 450 volunteers!
Available Volunteer Roles
Year-round weekly volunteer roles - available in January
To maintain an optimal level of service to the community, these volunteer roles require a consistent once weekly commitment. Some are front facing, while others are behind-the-scenes. Only roles and shifts marked AVAILABLE are open and we are accepting new volunteers to them. All other roles are currently full, but check back frequently as they will open up.
Front-facing, service delivery roles:
AVAILABLE in January Navigator volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to manage the flow of shoppers in the outdoor and indoor waiting spaces of the food bank. Navigators help food bank shoppers, and participants of the utilities and financial counselling programs, with wayfinding through the line-up, intake and service process. Must have outstanding people skills (self-aware, customer service-oriented, accommodating, efficient), and be on your feet for a 3.5 hr. shift. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Mondays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
- Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
- Tuesdays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
- Tuesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
- Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:45 PM, or
- Wedensdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM, or
- Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:430 PM
AVAILABLE in January Food Bank Support: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values, and in a manner that is dignified and respectful, to provide fresh and frozen food options to servers. Food Bank Support volunteers also fill in as Servers when 3 are needed. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift are required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
- Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
AVAILABLE in January Food Bank Servers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values, and in a manner that is dignified and respectful, to provide food boxes and options to shoppers. The ability to lift 30-40 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift are required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Mondays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
- Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Behind-the-Scenes support roles:
AVAILABLE in January Freezer-filling and Sorter volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank service by maintaining a rotated stock of frozen donations in the food bank and sorting non-perishble food items. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Fridays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
AVAILABLE in January Runner volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank service by receiving, sorting, packing and storing food donations, while also maintaining a safe work area. They also ensure the timely delivery of food products to the food bank. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift is required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Wednesdays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
- Fridays, 9 AM – 12:15 PM
- Fridays, 12:30 – 3:45 PM
AVAILABLE in January Receiver volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to direct just-arrived food donations to appropriate locations to ensure the timely delivery of products to shoppers and home delivery clients while also maintaining a safe work area. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.5 hour shift is required. Must be more than 16 years old.Commitment:on-going for at least 3-4 months,once weekly on:
- Tuesdays, 9 – 12:15 PM
- Wednesdays, 9 – 12:15 PM
AVAILABLE in January Box-packer volunteers: work on a team in the spirit of N2N Centre’s values to support the food bank by making 2 types of boxes (Families 1-3, Families 4-6) for pick-up during food bank appointments. The ability to lift 30-50 lbs. and be on your feet for a 3.25-hour shift is required. Must be more than 16 years old. Commitment: on-going for at least 3-4 months, once weekly on:
- Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 PM (tbc)
Working with young people:
AVAILABLE Reading Tutors: provide one-to-one reading support for students in Grades 1 to 4 at selected schools during the school day. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Commitment: up to 2.5 – 3 hours weekly October – May, and 4 hours total required in both September and June.
AVAILABLE Math Tutors provide math support for students in Grades 5 to 8 after school (3:45-5:00 pm). Must be a minimum of 14 years of age (parental consent required). Community Involvement hours will be credited for youth volunteers. Commitment: 1 or 2 shifts weekly from October – June, and 2 hours training required in September.
Public speaking:
AVAILABLE year round Speakers’ Bureau volunteers: will represent N2N at speaking engagements at schools, faith groups and other organizations, or at community events. Training, talking points and resources will be provided. Must have volunteer or participant experience with N2N programs. Commitment: Approx. 1 hour per month as needed.
Warehouse Runners
Food Bank Server
Food Bank Runner
Food Bank Runner
Deban Brunette Literacy Tutor
Math Success Program Tutor
Tutor with us this year!
This school year, it will take 150 volunteers to help 400 students get better at reading and math. Consider being one of them!
See the How to volunteer steps to get involved.
Our Philosophy for Volunteer Involvement
Volunteers reflect the diversity of our community, and are the heart of Neighbour to Neighbour Centre – an integral part of our past and vital to our future. Volunteers uphold our mission, share our vision, and embrace our values. We are committed to supporting volunteers with the resources necessary to implement our programs, and draw on volunteers’ experience and skills to achieve our common goals. This partnership enriches the services we provide and strengthens our community.
For almost 40 years, our dedicated volunteers have been helping to meet the issue of food insecurity head-on in our community. We are neighbours helping neighbours. Why not join us?
Ask us about a volunteer role
During the next intake period, we will e-mail you with details about AVAILABLE roles, and request to schedule a call to discuss next steps. (Please note: Our e-mail may land in your Junk folder.)
An inquiry/application to volunteer does not guarantee a volunteer position. Your patience is appreciated – not every role is always available, and we experience a high number of inquiries. We do look forward to working with you soon!
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