So today I went and volenteered at the local food bank out of the goodness of my heart for the greater good of the community. All was well and good in my books until the clean up started after the place closed. As I went to put some products back where they came from so they could be given out the next day I was scolded because all food that had been taken out doesn’t get put back away at the end of the day.

Instead “staff and volenteers can take it or else it gets thrown out”. So this understandably (I think) pissed me off because there was plenty of perfectly good food either going to people who quite frankly can go buy their own food or was getting thrown out,which just isn’t right.So I pretty much made a little scene saying what BS it was and left. I wonder if the people who make donations know that this happens? I know I’ve donated food and never known about this.

They do partially mention it in the FAQ section of their website. 
“Q.
“I’ve seen food thrown out behind the warehouse” Is the Food Bank wasting food?
A.
The Food Bank will only distribute quality food. Our volunteers feel that if they would not eat the food, they will not give it to clients. Often best before codes have expired before we receive the product. In the interests of safety, these products are sometimes discarded”

That is all fine and good for the guys in PR, but I know this is not the case. Obviously if the employees and some volenteers are leaveing with bags full of the food they think it is good enough to eat. And I’ve worked in the food industry, I know for a fact that much of this food indeed did not need to be discarded. I’m all for food that has gone bad being thrown out, but that simply was not the case.
Needless to say I won’t be donating any more time or food to the Regina Food Bank and I suggest everyone else stop as well until this corruption is put to an end. I will volenteer at soul’s harbor and if they don’t have this kind of bullshit donate to them instead.
Does anybody know if this is common practice? I don’t wanna go around on a local smear compaign for something that might be common knowledge.
Advertisement