![TIGHT TEAM: [From left] Melissa Tookey, Ryan Southern, Donna Rekve and Susan Mazlin are all volunteers at Powell River Action Centre Food Bank, located on Alberni Street.](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/powellriverpeak/images/organizations/2827_food_bank.jpeg;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000)
Powell River Action Centre Food Bank is true to its name. Most days the centre is bustling with busy workers who pack food boxes and bags for hungry families and residents of the qathet region.
The food bank is volunteer run and managed by Savanna Dee. Donna Rekve has volunteered for the past seven years.
“I see a lot of what I went through as a kid and I know how important it [the food bank] is, and I know funds don’t stretch very far nowadays,” explained Rekve.
According to its well-documented statistics, the local food bank has 2,500 visits annually, just over 276 households are served, and more 350 individuals are fed.”
This year the volunteers helped out two families from Ukraine who fled their country because of the war.
“I bag sugar and rice as a volunteer with the food bank,” said Ryan Southern. “I like to make a difference in our community and help those in need.”
Intake worker Melissa Tookey has been a food bank volunteer for more than five years and said she likes to help people.
“So far today [April 12] we have fed 32 people, and we are open for another 75 minutes,” said Dee, emphasizing just how busy it is at the 6816B Alberni Street location.
Although the people and families who pass through the food bank sometimes have heartbreaking stories, and the work here isn’t easy, the volunteer team is energized and all smiles.
“We have the best team,” said Rekve.
National Volunteer Week 2023 in Canada takes place from April 16 to 22.
