National Volunteer Week 2020
Ways you can volunteer during COVID
National Volunteer Week is a coast-to-coast-to-coast celebration of the commitment, dedication, generosity and selflessness of Canada’s almost 12.7 million volunteers. From April 19th to the 25th, we celebrate and give thanks to all the volunteers who donate their time selflessly to ensure communities are supported. This year, while opportunities to volunteer become a bit more challenging due to the current pandemic, the role of volunteers is increasingly important.
For National Volunteer Week, we wanted to share a few resources of ways to volunteer while still taking all safety and social distancing measures into account. There are some great organizations that could use this support and we want to take this week to advocate for their causes.
Leftovers
The Leftovers Foundation is one of Western Canada’s largest food rescue charities with a dual mission of reducing food waste and increasing food access through community mobilization. Their goal is to ensure edible food is kept out of the landfill and instead is redirected into the hands of those who need it most and operate in both Calgary and Edmonton.
Leftovers picks up food from grocers, restaurants and markets and drops them off at various charitable organizations. They facilitate this through a group of volunteers to ensure food is delivered to those in need. They are still leveraging volunteers during this time as pick-ups and drop-offs can be facilitated with no contact. Volunteering is made easy through their app, where you can conveniently check pick-up routes. To learn more about volunteering with Leftovers, you can visit their volunteer page here.
Propellus
Propellus is a local organization connecting causes and volunteers through their volunteer connector website. They have launched COVID specific volunteer opportunities to support organizations in need and those who are supporting pandemic efforts. You can view the opportunities here.
Additionally, they have posted a list of volunteer activities you can still participate in while maintaining proper social distancing
Donate blood.
Collecting food donations from doorsteps and delivering them to food banks.
Coordinating a virtual book reading, exercise or entertainment hour for children (to help out parents who may not have childcare).
Taking part in digital support groups for causes that matter to you.
Joining an adopt-a-senior Facebook group.
Supporting small businesses in your community (if you can).
Checking on elderly neighbors and offering to run errands or grab groceries.
Any little bit helps, but right now we want to extend a sincere thank you to those who have donated their time, now and always, to support amazing causes to provide aid and benefit to our communities.
