Coast-to-coast collaboration for our first-ever National PIF Week

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 25 years of doing business from coast to coast, it’s that we’re better together! So what better way to have wrapped up last year’s 25^th anniversary celebrations than to join together in paying it forward?

This past October, Payworks staff all across the country volunteered their time in support of our first-ever National Pay it Forward (PIF) Week. From drop-in centres in Calgary to food banks in Toronto and everywhere between and beyond, Payworks folks coordinated their efforts – and their PIF Days – to bring a massive wave of good (and orange shirts!) to our communities.

For just a few of that week’s highlights, read on…

Lunches and laughs at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon

Photo: Members of the BC team paying it forward at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon.

The “homes away from home” offered by Ronald McDonald House Canada to families of sick kids receiving treatment in nearby hospitals have long been a favourite spot for our staff to volunteer their time and talent.

One of the first PIF Days of our National Pay it Forward Week saw six members of our BC team visiting Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon to cook a delicious lunch for the resident families. They prepped sloppy joes (beef and vegetarian!) and healthy sides, learned more about how RMHC supports the community… and yes, even gave the big yellow slide a test-run or two.

“This meal prep is always such a meaningful experience,” said one repeat RMHC PIF-er. “With all the hard times faces by the families staying at Ronald McDonald House, it feels impactful to make sure they have one less worry on their minds.”

Photo: Lunch prep in progress at Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon.

Shoreline cleanup on the East Coast

That same day, six members of our Atlantic team set out to uphold one of their favourite annual PIF traditions: participating in the Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up! This time, their journey took them to Queensland Beach, where they cleared the shoreline of an astonishing 75 lbs of debris.

As the team reported, “One highlight of this event is actually now becoming more of a reoccurring highlight, because it’s happened at every shoreline cleanup to date: the very simple but extremely genuine thanks that we receive from the locals who we see during the cleanups. They’re always so appreciative of the work we’re doing, which is really humbling and heartwarming.”

Photo: Success! The Atlantic team cleared 75 lbs of debris from Queensland Beach.

Meal prep and special deliveries at NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre in Winnipeg

As our National Pay it Forward Week drew to a close, four members of our Winnipeg team were thrilled to spend a morning giving back at NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre – where “people come together to share a good meal, join a cooking group, grow a garden, learn about healthy eating and get active on issues in the community.”

Photo: Payworks and community volunteers working side by side to feed NorWest  Co-op’s many lunchtime guests.

The crew split up: half went out on a delivery run, picking up supplies from Harvest Manitoba and dropping them off at NorWest Co-op Community Health locations across the city. The other half joined Chef Andre and NorWest Co-op’s regular volunteers in the kitchen to prepare a nutritious falafel salad for the day’s many anticipated guests.

As one member of the Payworks team shared: “My favourite part was chatting with the other volunteers about what brought them to NorWest and why they continue to give their time and talent to this amazing organization.”

The two groups converged at lunchtime to serve the meal, also finding themselves in several discussions with guests on the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 World Series chances (sigh… it was a simpler time). They even had the chance to visit NorWest Co-op’s community garden – a highlight of the day for the whole team.

“Our time at NorWest was so inspiring,” they said. “Nutrition and nourishment of all kinds are such a critical part of what they offer each day, and we all loved how they’re educating the community on how to keep the good going by teaching them how to grow their own vegetables! The story they shared about seeing stalks of corn growing over the fences in nearby yards will stick with all of us for a long time."

“The staff and volunteers there are amazing people. Our world is a better place because of people like them."  

Photo: Payworks volunteers and NorWest Co-op staff before getting to work in the kitchen (and on the road!).

Looking to join a team where giving back is a given? When it comes to great people, there’s always room for one more – explore career opportunities here: https://www.payworks.ca/about-us/careers.