Volunteers are ‘the lifeblood’ of not-for-profits

National Volunteer Week, celebrated this year on 20–26 May, highlights the important contribution volunteers make to the not-for-profit sector.  

Foodbank WA’s CEO Kate O’Hara said volunteers are the “lifeblood” of the charity.

“Their dedication and tireless efforts are the reason we can provide vital food assistance to those in need. Their contribution directly translates to putting food on the tables of Western Australian households struggling to make ends meet.”

Last year, volunteers contributed a staggering 178,620 hours to Foodbank WA. However, their impact goes beyond mere numbers.

“Volunteers are woven into the very fabric of Foodbank WA’s operations. From the friendly faces greeting customers at the shop floor to the unseen heroes packing and sorting food in the warehouse, they ensure a smooth and efficient operation across our state,” Ms O’Hara said.

Foodbank works together with 450 charities to create a robust network across the state. These volunteer-run organisations ensure that everyone facing food insecurity can access the support they need.

“It’s not just our volunteers feeding change. Foodbank WA’s referral and charity partnership model connects individuals and families to a wider support system, offering a gateway to complimentary essential services that can help them get back on their feet.”

Foodbank WA believes volunteering is a chance to be part of a community and make a real difference. Each week, dedicated women from the Boronia Pre-release Centre for Women volunteer at Foodbank Perth and pre-release men assist at both Foodbank Bunbury and Foodbank Kalgoorlie.

“This program offers them more than just a helping hand. It provides a safe space to reconnect with their community, gain valuable experience and rebuild their lives outside prison walls,” Ms O’Hara explained.

“Incarceration can create a gap and our program bridges that gap. These pre-release teams develop confidence, build essential work skills and rediscover their strengths – all crucial for thriving in the workforce upon release.”

Amanda, a Boronia Pre-Release Centre volunteer and now a Foodbank staff member, is a story of setback to success. “When I was in prison, I struggled to think of how I was going get a job and what I was going to do. I wanted to find a job that would accept me and I thought, ‘Who’s going to do that?’ I didn’t want them to look at me differently, and Foodbank hasn’t,” she said.

Find out how you can volunteer at Foodbank, whether it’s individual, team or corporate challenges.

Strong community of volunteers

Maeve Egan, chief executive of the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA (MNDAWA), said the association dedicated to supporting people impacted by motor neurone disease relies heavily on volunteers, particularly around its events and activities.

“We have a strong community of volunteers, many of whom have been touched by motor neurone disease (MND) through a family member or a friend. For those who have seen the impact of this disease, the need for care is very clear. 

“Our volunteers are a part of our MND community, they want to make a difference and do so in a significant way. We have volunteers who have a long association with giving of their time for us and newer volunteers who may be at university wanting to gain some experience and what we notice is they come back again,” Ms Egan said.

MNDAWA’s Walk to Defeat MND event in Perth earlier this month raised over $180,000. More than 1,000 people came out to walk and, on the day, there were 62 volunteers who contributed to that event. The next Walk to Defeat MND event will be held in Bunbury on 26 May 2024.

“In the last financial year, our volunteers gave 1,000 hours of time to the MND Association of WA. As a relatively small association this is an enormous contribution, so on this volunteer week we pay special mention to each and every one of them,” she said.

To find out more about the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA and how you can contribute, visit www.mndawa.asn.au.