Helping in 2022
Did you know that Holme Valley Foodbank is run by volunteers?
We can only do what we do because of our excellent volunteers.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Can you help? We need drivers and packers.
Drivers:
We need people for Tuesday mornings to cover collection slots from 09:15 to 10:30. The route will typically take an hour or so to deliver beyond the collection time. The number of bags (these are a “bag for life” size and can be quite heavy, so people must be fit and strong) on a route is usually 12 maximum, although we prefer to keep it to 10. The number of drops varies depending on whether the route comprises families, individual or couple households.
Each driver is allocated a time slot where they come and collect the bags from the packing centre in Holmfirth (don’t want to say where at this stage), load up and take their route sheet with them. Each round will probably take around an hour and once a driver becomes familiar with the route and the different drops, then it will become quicker. Routes are largely stable but can change with clients coming and going.
Routes cover particular areas and are laid out to minimise time/distance. All routes are supported by typed instructions with contact phone numbers supplied in case of queries. Rounds cover Honley, Meltham, Brockholes, Thongsbridge, New Mill, Hepworth, Scholes, Cinderhills, Holme, Holmbridge and Burnlee.
Mileage expenses can be claimed. Food Bank Volunteers encourages volunteers to notify their insurance company that they are using their vehicle for carrying goods for the foodbank. If there is an additional premium charged you can claim this here and attach evidence of the additional premium.
Driving is an enjoyable and rewarding volunteering task. It is more likely to appeal to those with independent, self-sufficient tendencies. Volunteers need to be mobile and reasonably fit and strong. Owning a vehicle which can accommodate up to 12 “bag for life” sized bags, preferably in the boot, is advantageous for this role.
Packers:
We need back-up packers for Tuesday morning from 08:30hrs to 10:45hrs at the latest. Currently there are 3 teams, with each team working one week in 3. Bags are packed in rounds to a delivery time slot, ready for drivers to collect. Packing is supported by typed instructions and a label for each bag to be delivered. Colour-coding of the bag labels is designed to help the driver facilitate loading/delivery of each drop. Packing is supported by an experienced volunteer to assist with any queries. The food is packed in “bag for life” sized bags and can be quite heavy, so people must be able-bodied, fit and strong.
Packing is an enjoyable and fulfilling volunteering activity. The task is a more likely to appeal to those who enjoy team-based and potentially sociable activities. Volunteers must be mobile and reasonably fit and strong.
For more info contact Liz on 07534 855332
What our volunteers do:
- sort the donations and pack the food bags.
- collect the food from the donation points and take it to our packing area.
- deliver emergency food bags
- look after our social media and website.
- design and produce our newsletters and posters.
Holme Valley Foodbank 