Volunteers are essential to our work at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and have a crucial role in all aspects of our operations. From accepting community donations and sorting food to packing hampers and delivering food to over 120 programs and agencies within the Community Food Assistance Network, we couldn’t do our work without volunteers.

Shortly after moving to Canada from Nigeria to study at the University of Waterloo, Abdulmalik Nuhu (who goes by Nuhu) began volunteering at The Food Bank.

“Usually, the first thing I do when I get to a place is ‘how can I help?’” explains Nuhu. “So, I just googled ‘volunteer opportunities’ and The Food Bank popped up.”

Nuhu officially joined our team of volunteers in January 2024, volunteering in both our distribution centre and at our events. As a warehouse volunteer, Nuhu has accepted donations from community members, sorted non-perishable food into organized categories, and packed hampers with fresh fruits and vegetables. And as an event volunteer, Nuhu has been a brand ambassador for The Food Bank at fundraising events like Canstruction and other community-run events that support The Food Bank, raising awareness about our work, collecting food and cash donations, and helping the public understand the impact of their donations. Nuhu also hopes to volunteer with our driving team, helping to distribute food orders to the more than 120 agencies and community programs within the Community Food Assistance Network.

Nuhu is pictured at The Food Bank.

“I try to do everything in the whole program,” Nuhu says. “I registered for all the opportunities because I wanted to experience what it is. I just want to have a feel of what the whole process is and if it’s possible just giving my contributions in different aspects.”

When asked what his favourite part about volunteering at The Food Bank is, Nuhu said there are two things that come to mind.

“One is the happiness I get that I’m supporting to give food to the people and second, the opportunity we have to talk with one another,” he says. “That connection is amazing.”

Nuhu has not only found volunteering with The Food Bank rewarding but he’s learned a lot too.

“When I came here, I was able to talk to people,” he explains. “I learned a little bit about what the culture of the land is from interacting with people. Also, the whole food bank process, including the volunteering and training process, just taught me how the whole volunteering system worked and it’s quite amazing to see. If possible, I will replicate something like this back home. It’s amazing to see a warehouse running by a chain of volunteers and how that system is so synchronized.”

To people considering volunteering at The Food Bank, Nuhu’s advice is to be open-minded.

“Be open to everything,” he says. “Be open to learn. Be open to yourself. It’s an opportunity for you to learn a lot. And one thing I am sure is you’re not alone. No matter what it is, you will get the support from staff and from other colleagues so just come with an open mind and just do what you love to do.”

Are you interested in volunteering? Visit our website to learn more about the different volunteer roles and how you can help people in our community access the food they need.