Volunteering for Jewish Family Services of Vancouver Island

I have been volunteering at the Saanich Market for over a year and I must say the rewards keep pouring in. 

First of all my physical and financial needs get met shopping for excellent, fresh, locally sourced produce at - get this - wholesale prices. And as a volunteer I receive a special perk being able to shop before the mad rush of regular clients. That's right - I get to pick out the best of the crop before the market opens. A great volunteer perk! 

Secondly, my social life gets a little top-up every other Sunday morning, meeting and greeting so many wonderful returning customers who have heard about our fresh food market either through media or via the grapevine. No one is in a rush, everyone is smiling, chatting, and hanging around after sipping soup or munching a kosher hot dog and believe it or not - there's music, a picnic table...and children dancing!

That would be Live Music so emotionally, I'm filled to the brim with upbeat, happy tunes from some of Victoria's best musicians. Really! No kidding! Music and food - two of my great loves! Sometimes I can't help it ...I find myself  singing out loud to familiar songs.

What could be better than lending a hand to help reduce our food costs? That kind of volunteering fills my Jewish soul - so yes, spiritually I get a lift. It shouldn't be called volunteer work. It should be called volunteer FUN. 

Miriam Waldman
JFSVI Volunteer