2023 Top Volunteers
Anna: I enjoy volunteering with VFR because it requires so little effort and time, yet makes a huge impact in our community.
During the holiday season, we love wandering through The Christmas Store at Potters, a 28,000 sq ft space dedicated to all things Christmas! Additionally, we appreciate admiring the meticulously crafted gingerbread masterpieces at the Hyatt Regency’s Gingerbread Lane. It’ll be an extra special event for our family this year, as our daughter, Hayley, is a member of the team that won 1st place in the Secondary School category!
Hi, I’m Mona! I began volunteering regularly with VFR last year to address food waste and help mitigate food insecurity, aiming to give back to society and contribute in any way I can.
I'm a busy-body and work-oriented individual in electrical engineering and telecommunications. Despite my busy schedule, I prioritize spending quality time with my family. We enjoy going on trips, whether local or abroad, cooking and baking together, and unwinding in our flower and vegetable garden during the summer.
Christmas is our favourite time of the year: we cherish quality moments together indoors, enjoying movies, and sipping hot cocoa while the snow falls gently. I’m excited to see what the new year holds for both VFR and myself! Let’s wish for increased donations and reduced food waste for everyone. Happy holidays!
It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to have worked for the last 3.5 years with VFR since their inception in the spring of 2020. The issue of food waste and its exorbitant impact on the environment has long been a deep concern of mine and a cause to which I am deeply committed. It brings me tremendous joy and relief to know that I can make a small difference every week with my two weekly food rescues.
Speaking of food... This holiday, I'll be heading to the Island with big plans to indulge in my dad’s amazing cooking, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends. And to balance out the indulgence, plenty of snowy walks in the woods with my pup... ;) Thank you, VFR, for another year of allowing me to serve my community in such a meaningful way!
I've spent most of my life in Vancouver, raising our three children with Gary in Dunbar. Volunteering has always filled my 'spare' time, but nothing has been as fulfilling as being a part of Vancouver Food Runners — meeting incredible people and exploring different neighbourhoods in the city. With a childhood lesson to never waste anything, VFR aligns perfectly with my values. I'm also involved with Vivian House in DTES, the Vancouver Garden Club, and the Hospice garden.
This holiday season is all about cherishing family and friends, and holding onto a great deal of hope for the future!
I'm originally from Italy and have been living in Vancouver for a very long time. I've worked in the service industry, including hotels and restaurants, both in Italy and here. I owned three restaurants for a total of 22 years, with my last one being Adesso Bistro in the West End, which I sold in 2017.
I'm a volunteer with VFR because I genuinely enjoy helping people, and this cause is very serious. The gratitude from the individuals receiving donated food is what makes me happy.
I love spending time in Whistler during Christmas because it is a very festive place to be at this time of year.
Time flies by so fast! In the blink of an eye, I've volunteered at VFR for two years. I love this volunteer role, and it's been an incredible experience. Helping and sending care and warmth to people makes me feel great. Being able to do this while improving myself and maintaining kindness and good health is something truly to be grateful for. I will carry on with this passion and persistence ✊. Looking into 2024, I hope to dedicate more time to travel and reunite with my loved ones.
Working with this amazing organization has been a great learning experience for me. Apart from meeting remarkable individuals associated with the program, I value the flexibility of creating my own schedule with my weekly runs. I feel like I am contributing to my community in a meaningful way.
During the holiday season, doing food pick-ups and deliveries warms my heart, knowing that even in a small way, I'm helping people in need. It's truly an honour to be part of VFR.
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