Celebrating our Volunteers!

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, but they have the heart.”

We appreciate our volunteers every day – we could not do what we do without their passion and dedication – and this month, National Volunteer Month, we recognize the hard work of all our volunteers that help us nourish our neighbours.

The Newmarket Food Pantry is run almost entirely by volunteers. We have only three paid, part time employees, and everyone else donates their time, including our Board of Directors. Volunteers are an integral part of not only the survival of the Newmarket Food Pantry, but countless other organisations that rely on the support of others to stay afloat. It is our volunteers that sort thousands of pounds of food every month; who stock the shelves, and sort the expired foods that have to be discarded (not a pleasant task), and they provide our clients with the dignity and respect they deserve as they collect food for their families.

“Volunteers are love in motion.”

It is through the passion and dedication of volunteers throughout our community that helps bring our community together, and shows what we accomplish when we work together.

Volunteering not only helps others in our community, it also provides positive benefits to you as well. When we volunteer, our spirits are lifted, we feel good about what we are doing, and gives us a sense of purpose and pride. When we give, even in a small way, it helps improve our health and happiness. Here are some other benefits of volunteering:

Building Confidence: Volunteering can help you build confidence by trying something new, and gives you a sense of achievement

Impacting Your Community: Being a volunteer has a valuable impact on people in our community, and society in general.

Meeting New People: Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet new people and create lasting friendships.

Learning New Skills: You can learn new skills while volunteering, which you can transfer to other areas of your life.

Inspire Others: When you volunteer, you are inspiring people around you to help others. Your children learn from your actions, and being a volunteer gives them a positive role model.

So thank you to everyone who takes time out of their busy schedules to help others. It may only be a few hours a month, but every little bit counts! And next time you see a volunteer, thank them, because they are the heartbeat of the organisation they are working for! For more information about how to volunteer with the Newmarket Food Pantry, please visit the Get Involved page and see if volunteering with us is right for you.