Article By: Kevin Brown
Thomas is one of the indispensable Ottawa Food Bank Administration Support Volunteers. He is working towards a degree in Sociology at Carleton University and started volunteering in April 2024.
“The Ottawa Food Bank was recommended to me by someone at school. I was looking for an opportunity to build my administrative skills and engage with the public, which is something I will do in my chosen field of Sociology. I applied online to the Ottawa Food Bank and participated in a Volunteer Orientation via Zoom. The session convinced me to volunteer at the [Ottawa] Food Bank, and it has been great since I began last Spring. The people make it worthwhile as everyone here wants to help others who need help. Everyone here is friendly and welcoming.”
Each Tuesday, you will find Thomas at the front desk working on a range of tasks.
“At any time during my shift I can be answering emails sent by people looking for information, I can receive monetary donations, I welcome visitors to the lobby, welcome volunteers if they are new and show them to the Volunteer Lounge, and welcome donors who may be taking a tour of the facility. The list of duties is long and helps make the time pass quickly. It also makes me feel like I am doing something meaningful for the Food Bank and people in our community who need help.”
During the last fiscal year, from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, 14 Admin Support Volunteers gave 189 shifts and contributed 688 volunteer hours.
About Kevin Brown
Kevin has joined Ottawa Food Bank’s volunteers, in semi-retirement, as a seasoned Public Relations and Communications professional. He sought a flexible volunteer role with the Ottawa Food Bank and was excited to take on the role of capturing volunteer stories to have as assets to share and celebrate volunteering, effectively enhancing the Ottawa Food Bank’s capacity for recognition.
Beyond this effort, Kevin has also become an active and engaged Special Events volunteer who has been a great personality and presence at events in the community.
Read more volunteer stories at ottawafoodbank.ca/volunteer.
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