Wearing an orange reflective vest, the volunteers of the Food Bank are looking for food, unsold or expiry dates, in supermarkets. Food is then stored in the association’s warehouses, before being redistributed to 82 partner charities. A volunteer allows the distribution of 30,000 meals. The Food Bank also receives products from the food industry, the state and the European Union. In Burgundy, 1200 tons of food pass each year in the hands of “Vests orange”.
Hard-working volunteers
Severna is one of them. He has just returned to the warehouse, driving a van, with a “pickup”, a load of unsold food provided by a supermarket. Involved in the association since November 2017, this retiree devotes his two half days a week. Even more assiduously, four times a week, Colette, 80, is assigned to make small parcels: “At the moment, we put rice, compote, green beans, jam, dessert cream, chocolate, coffee and cocoa. Here, everyone knows her. She has been working there for 16 years, and never tires of it: “I like that, I find friendship, and then I’m all alone, so it takes care of me”.
Half a day or more a week
The Food Bank needs to expand its workforce. “We can give half a day a week, or more, of course, usually in the morning,” said Agnes Biotin, General Delegate of the Food Bank of Burgundy. In terms of activities, “They are focused on picking up products in supermarkets, sorting them in our warehouse or in our cold room. Also, we are looking for volunteers to prepare orders for associations. We also have offices, where we look for specific skills, management controller, someone who deals with computers, also people who deal with relations with associations.
Protect volunteers against accidents
Sylvie, head of human resources, adds that every precaution is taken to avoid accidents during these activities: “each volunteer is equipped with safety shoes, an orange vest, gloves. Safety instructions are given to all new volunteers, as well as training on sorting, sanitary standards, hygiene and food safety, but also safety when driving a truck, or when working in the company”. In addition, volunteers are covered by insurance in the event of an accident.