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Every year, Payworks employees receive two paid days off to volunteer with a community organization that’s meaningful to them. If we’ve learned anything in the 10 years since our Pay it Forward (PIF) program’s inception, it’s that there are hundreds of ways to give back – and our team’s on a mission to try them all!
This National Volunteer Week, we’re shining a spotlight on a few of the folks who “filled their cups” by feeding our community as 2024 drew to a close.
Family dinner in Vancouver
Ronald McDonald House Canada’s (RMHC’s) Home for Dinner program is a longtime PIF Day favourite among our staff from coast to coast. Volunteers choose recipes, source ingredients, and cook dinner for the families who are staying at RMHC while their child receives treatment at a nearby hospital.
This past October, eight members of our BC team decided to bring a taste of Italy to their local RMHC house! The lasagna, Caesar salad and garlic toast were not only appreciated by that evening’s guests; they were able to box up more than 50 portions of leftovers for those who couldn’t make it that night or needed a quick meal the next day.
“It was great to see how serving this meal helped the families take a break from their busy and stressful day,” the crew shares.
Photo: Payworks volunteers prepping a delicious dinner at RMHC’s Vancouver house.
Hampers for the hungry in Winnipeg
One month later, a mighty crew of 10 Payworks PIFers arrived at Winnipeg’s Agape Table ready to put their impressive organizational skills to work! Agape Table “enhances the lives of those in need by welcoming everyone to our table, without judgment or bias, offering food, fellowship, and support.”
This mission resonated with the volunteers, who shared of their PIF Day selection process, “It seemed like a good fit for our team. They operate with no judgement and no restrictions on who’s welcome; everyone is served with kindness, compassion, and respect.”
This team was tasked with setting up, sorting, and packing hamper donations – frozen veggies, fresh meats, baked goods and more – to help Agape Table deliver 250+ hampers (their weekly average). That day alone, they gave out more than 100! Some volunteers also lent a hand packing items for the breakfast program, which serves over 800 Winnipeggers each day.
“This experience was very eye-opening, and gave all of us a chance to reflect on our own experiences,” says that day’s group. “Working with Agape Table’s regular volunteers was wonderful too; we met many folks from diverse backgrounds – college students, newcomers, retirees – who come in every week to ensure Agape Table is able to provide their services.”
Photo: Packing hampers with a smile at Agape Table in Winnipeg.
Warm holiday meals in Montréal
The next month – and just in time for the holidays! – members of our Montréal team spent a morning pitching in at Multicaf, where the mission is “to provide food aid, create social connections, and seek resources for low-income people in the Côte-des-Neiges district.”
These 10 volunteers got started on meal prep for the main dishes, sides and dessert that would be served later that day to a packed dining room of over 300 community members. As one team member reports: “We prepared food, brought in groceries, washed pots and pans, and did whatever else was needed! It felt great to give back.”
The rest of the team agrees, calling it “a beautiful experience and a moment to remember that filled my heart with joy during the holiday season.” Another says, “The energy in the kitchen was amazing. We were all working hard and having fun with the staff, but our main goal was to be on time to serve a warm and comforting meal to those in need. What an amazing experience to be able to pay it forward!”
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Photo: Happy helpers pitching in at Montréal’s Multicaf.
Looking to join a team that’s all about giving back in meaningful ways (and finding the fun in the process)? When it comes to great people, there’s always room for one more: https://www.payworks.ca/about-us/careers.
