The Food bank needs reinforcements
Volunteers play a key role in the Food Bank’s operations
Leena Väisänen retired from train traffic control in 2018 and, being used to the work life, set out to find something to fill her days as a pensioner.
“I wanted to take up volunteer work, and this turned out to be a good fit for me. I’m the kind of person who, when I start something, I commit to it”, says Väisänen.
Väisänen delivers food parcels. Sometimes, finding the address requires a bit of detective work, but over the years she has become familiar with the routes and locations. Some help also came from her husband, who works as a driver.
Rewarding encounters
For Väisänen, the most rewarding part of the volunteer work is not even the act in itself, but the encounters.
“The only time I see the customers is when I deliver the food bags. There have been so many times when people have blessed me and expressed their gratitude”, Väisänen says.
The food aid volunteers don’t work shifts every day of the week. The delivery of the food bags only happens on Mondays and Thursdays, and the shifts can easily be arranged to fit your personal circumstances.
“With the other volunteers working at the food aid, we make a really nice group, and we always make time for fun and laughter, too”, says Väisänen.
We need more volunteers than ever
At the moment, at the food aid we have a dire need for volunteers who can take produce from the suppliers to the Food bank, as well as volunteers who can bring the arranged packages to the individual customers.
“You don’t even need to own a car, having a driver’s license is enough. Work can also be done in pairs, where possible”, says Johannes Heikura, a social care graduate (AMK) serving as a deacon in the Seinäjoki local parish.
The Church’s diaconal work serves as a good barometer of the state of society, and we can see a growing need for financial assistance. You can join the food aid program after speaking directly to a diaconal worker.
“Our resources for financial assistance are limited, so our diaconal workers assess each individual’s situation by looking at the difference between their income and expenses before making the decision to grant assistance”, explains the Head of Diaconal Work at the Seinäjoki Regional Parish, Otto Savolainen.
Text: Jaakko Jokela | Picture: Matti Hautalahti | Translation: Ennio Roberto Sapatiello
Do you want to volunteer at the Food bank?
Do you wish to join the volunteering activity at the Food bank? Get in contact!
-
Diakonian virkaa tekevä sosionomi
Johannes HeikuraSeinäjoen seurakunta | Seinäjoen alueseurakunta | Diakonia
