Food Bank volunteering
| Time per session | 3 hours |
| How often | Twice |
| Activity Duration | 26/11/2016 - 5/12/2017 |
| Reflections |
One reflection |
Activity Short Description:
On the last weekend of November, I will be going to a local supermarket called "BM" to help them get as much food to donate to the "Food Bank" or "Banco de Alimentos". That food is then served to necessited people all around the Basque Country.
Personal Goal for the Activity:
What I hope to accomplish with this activity is to give back to my community by giving food to the ones who need it. My role will be to encourage citizens buying in the supermarket to donate the food and to pack bags with the food. I will know that I have achieved my objectives if I recollect lots of food and if I am thanked by the people and supermarket.
Anticipated Learning Outcomes:
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
This activity involves donating food to the people who need it in my communtity. There is many people in every city that do not have enough money to buy food, and food is vital for living.
2016
Before going to the supermarket to help the Food Bank, Pablo and I went to the retirement home; meaning that we were quite tired. Nevertheless, I was willing to help this charitable foundation as I had always admired their work but never really took part in any kind of volunteering.
Pablo and I arrived at 7pm, just when some of our school mates where about to leave. They told us how all worked. Pablo took the role of recollecting and organizing the donated food, and I would be greeting people asking them whether they would like to donate some food to the Food Bank.
For the 3 hours we were there, not a lot of people came to the supermarket, meaning that we had less work than expected. Still, we were very successful at convincing the incoming clients and at organizing the boxes full of food. Another of my responsibilities was to inform the people the type of food they could buy.
In the three hours I was there, I came along three stages: being happy for seeing people donate, being tired for standing 3 hours straight, and being amazed by some client's attitudes. Particularly, I would point out the example of two elder women who even donated thirteen-hundred euros.
After the three hours, a correspondant from the Food Bank came to close the boxes, we were thanked, and we left with a feeling that we had really helped our community. Those two huge boxes that we filled were going to serve hundreds of meals to the most necessited people with our region. I am very proud of our hard work, and I would really consider volunteering again.
2017
This year, my friend Pablo and I decided to repeat the Food Bank volunteering experience since we found it so enriching last year. The event was organized by one of my classmate, who called a local supermarket and put them in contact with the local Food Bank association. Once again, our role was to promote the organization at the front door of the supermarket and promote customers to donate food to the organization.
Like last year, Pablo and I went to the supermarket during the last round from seven to nine in the afternoon. As a result, not a lot of customers came in and donated. Despite that, we were responsible for closing the donation boxes and for completing some documents.
After two hours of hard work, it was very gratifying to actually see the results with our own eyes. We collected more than one huge box of foods that will be given to the people that need it the most. It was also very enriching to hear thank you praises for customers that valued our work for the community.
Even though there will not be any more events like this one in my time in the IB, I am willing to participate next year while being at university. I can't wait!
