To read this month’s complete edition of the E-News, click here.
E-News Highlights
Volunteer of the Month: Manuel Pfannkuch
October’s volunteer of the month is Mellisa Caballero.
Manuel Pfannkuch from Gersbach, Germany, joined the Harvest warehouse team through the Christliche Dienste program, which is a Mennonite initiative that provides volunteer services abroad. Before working in the warehouse, Pfannkuch was placed with the volunteer services team. The Christliche Dienste program chose to place Pfannkuch at Harvest.
“He was shy and timid at the start but learned fast. Working with the volunteer services team, his responsibilities have grown so much and his courage has grown too. He can work as hard as anyone else that appreciates and loves what Harvest does – help feed the hungry,” said Snookie Tumlos, Volunteer Services Floor Supervisor.
To read the article, click here.
E-News Highlights
St. James Anglican Church Food Bank Wechetowin
For the past nine years, the St. James Anglican Church Food Bank Wechetowin (Cree for people helping people) has been there to feed the community it serves. The team serves about 25 families every two weeks.
“We have a space and knew there was a need in our community,” said Elizabeth Bonnet, Food Bank Coordinator. “We’re giving out food and the clients are giving us something. It’s about connecting, it’s about being human. The clients are part of our lives now, they have become family.”
To read the article, click here.
E-News Highlights
Crew Spotlight: Client Services
Working in client services is a ‘big job’ according to Deb Swereda, Client Services Manager for Harvest.
At the very heart of it is the call centre, volunteers man the phones and emails from people who are looking for food.
“(Client Services) is like the core of Harvest, right? Because every other department works to ensure that the clients receive food. Without clients we wouldn’t be here,” she said.
To read the article, click here.
E-News Highlights
In Case You Missed It…
In the middle of the Harvest warehouse, surrounded by food, forklifts, conveyor belts and people, you think: ’I’m doing this. We’re feeding kids.’ It can be a huge boost to your soul. It’s not uncommon to hear a Harvest volunteer say, ‘It’s the best job in the world.’
Children represent 46% of those who receive food from Harvest (80,000 people a month). So, yes – with every Harvest Hamper you fill, you are feeding babies, toddlers, students, plus hungry moms, dads, seniors and those with chronic illness. There’s only one demographic that counts: hunger.
To read the full article, click here.