Why do I volunteer for East Lothian Foodbank?

Here's what some of our current volunteers had to say when asked about volunteering for us.

Bill

When I retired, apart from initially wanting to lie in bed and generally be pretty lazy, I knew that I did want to continue to make some form of positive contribution in the local community. I also knew that I did not want to simply start another job. So, what to do? Volunteering?
A close friend asked if I had heard of Foodbanks to which I responded, well, perhaps…. I think I read something somewhere about that. I quickly googled the word and up popped the Trussell Trust and then a local contact in East Lothian. That did indeed sound like a worthwhile cause. I wondered if they would be looking for anyone to help out. A phone call led to what I thought was an interview but turned out to be my first shift at Civic Square! This was late 2013.

Five and a half years on, I am still at Civic Square working as a volunteer, having also served for a period of about 3 years as a Foodbank Trustee. Throughout this time, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with an amazing group of dedicated people, most of whom do this valuable work without any recompense and the need for thanks. I have learned a great deal about poverty in our neighbourhood and fully realise, sadly, how much our services are still necessary in 21 st century Scotland.

I am very glad and proud that I took the plunge and became a volunteer at the East Lothian Foodbank.

 

Geoff

Why do I volunteer at the Foodbank?

Four reasons come to mind:-

1. It’s an organisation that is of practical help to those who are in real need.
2. There is an interesting mix of staff/volunteers to work with.
3. The volunteering makes use of some of my organisational skills.
4. I think the Foodbank is making a positive difference for some of those in the benefits system in the Scotland of 2019.

Susan

After I retired most of my time was taken up looking after my mum who had dementia. I felt that I needed to do something to take me away from the situation even if only for a couple of hours. I had heard about the foodbank a couple of years previously when Fiona O’Donnell gave a talk at our Women’s Guild and I decided that this was definitely something I would like to be involved in.

Volunteering at the foodbank means that I can do something for those less fortunate which is very satisfying. Everyone is so friendly and there is never any pressure or stress.