Meet Wali, one of our volunteers!
Back in 2011, we put out a newspaper ad looking for volunteers to help us in our warehouse. Luckily for us, Wali answered. The opportunity to put her Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition to good use and get involved in her community was a no-brainer for Wali. When she first started, Wali took two long bus rides to reach our warehouse. Yet, that didn’t stop her from volunteering four days a week!
Over the past 13 years, Wali has seen our organization grow and adapt to the changing demographics of Mississauga and the increasing number of folks experiencing food insecurity. She was there both times we moved to a larger facility to increase our capacity and ability to serve our neighbours in need. Wali started volunteering at our old 10,000-square-foot warehouse, moved with us to a 22,000-square-foot facility in 2014, and is still volunteering with us today, in our current 44,000-square-foot warehouse. With these moves, Wali had a behind-the-scenes view of how programs like Food Bank 2 Home (a food delivery service for home-bound neighbours) and our Tax Clinic have evolved and continuously support those experiencing food insecurity in Mississauga.
“Moving on to the new premises [in 2014] brought on added responsibilities. It was the start of the home delivery [Food Bank 2 Home], and I was entrusted with filling in the orders. There were just three clients to begin with! I also am amazed at [how Food Banks Mississauga provides] help, assistance and guidance in other aspects like filing taxes.”
Wali currently volunteers two days a week as a food sorter in our warehouse. With her fellow food sorters, she checks the best-before dates and package integrity of shelf-stable food donations and sorts them by food type. The boxes of sorted food are then packaged to be delivered to our 60+ agency members across Mississauga.
“It has been an amazing experience sorting and packing food. It is quite an experience to see how the system works from the moment food comes in to the time it’s ready for delivery to the agencies.”
Looking back, Wali expressed how it feels to volunteer with Food Banks Mississauga:
“My time spent volunteering is not just satisfying, but truly inspiring to do more. I have received several awards. I am grateful and humbled. It’s great to work along with other dedicated volunteers and wonderful staff as well. We are an amazing team.”
In addition to volunteering, Wali is a talented patchwork artist who donates all proceeds to Food Banks Mississauga. Her patchwork ranges from baby quilts to table mats and bedspreads with varying prices. Contact us to learn more about how you can purchase a patchwork from Wali!
Thank you, Wali, for volunteering your time to serve your neighbours in need. We are so grateful for your years of service and generosity!
Become a Volunteer
Inspired by Wali and her volunteer role at Food Banks Mississauga? We’d love for you to join us as a volunteer! Check out our open volunteer positions today!
