I agreed to join the TVOKids team at the Daily Bread Food Bank as it launched its Everybody Help Out initiative. I didn't really know what we'd be doing, but I was willing to find out. We taped a few segments for the campaign launch on TVOKids, but we were also there to work - to haul boxes and sort and label food.
Here's what I learned that day:
- I like the physical labour of hauling boxes and sorting food. Satisfying.
- People contribute all kinds of food to the food bank, including home made vinegar and food that long ago expired.
- I should have worn my glasses because you have to read every single expiry date before you sort the food, for the reason I just mentioned. Expiry dates can be hard to find.
- Kids are better at sorting food into boxes in the most space-efficient way, as I learned from the daughter of one of my colleagues.
- People contribute a lot of pasta. A lot. But the boxes for feminine products and baby supplies were nearly empty. That's what I'll send in next time.
- Our TVO team works well together. And they helped me read the expiry dates. Thank you.
- I'll do this again. Once you've done it, it doesn't seem difficult. And I'll ask my daughter to join me. She'll be thrilled...she's the one who's been asking.
Kids want to help out. They really do. TVOKids is giving them one way to feel the power of their actions with the Everybody Help Out intitiative. It's part of TVO's contribution to Why Poverty?, a worldwide effort to raise awareness of poverty. Kids can go to TVOKids.com, log their contributions to food banks and share their stories. Of course, you could always take them down to the food bank to volunteer on the ground. It helps to see how much food is needed, and what kind.
