You’ll find links to create an online profile, register for a live orientation session (or watch a recording), learn about our volunteer opportunities and sign up for volunteer shifts that work for your schedule through our website. Check out our Volunteer page here.

Click here to sign up for a shift.

Please note that there are a limited number of opportunities and shift times available.  If more assistance is needed, you can always email us - volunteering@viloavesandfishes.org.

Looking to volunteer at a Free Food Market?

We ask all volunteers to complete their orientation session and register for a minimum of four shifts in our warehouse to learn about our food recovery program.  Once these steps are completed, email us to see which markets are seeking volunteers and we can add you to the appropriate group. 

Nanaimo Free Food Markets: 
Mondays: 
Christ Community, 12:30pm – 2:15pm, 2221 Bowen Rd 
Farquhar, 4:20pm – 7:10pm, 1009 Farquhar St 

Tuesdays: 
St Paul’s, 10:30am – 12:30pm, 394 Shepherd Ave 
Brechin, 12:15pm – 3pm, 2020 Estevan Rd 
St Philip, 2:30pm – 4:15pm, 1797 Cedar Rd 
 
Wednesdays: 
Farquhar, 9:20am – 11:45am & 11:30am – 2:10pm, 1009 Farquhar St 
Alliance, 1:20pm – 3:20pm, 1609 Meredith Rd 
 
Thursdays:  
Farquhar, 12:20pm – 3:10pm, 1009 Farquhar St 
Neighbourhood, 5:30pm – 8:15pm, 4951 Rutherford Rd 
 
Fridays: 
Salvation Army, 11:15am – 2:15pm, 505 Eighth St 
St Andrew’s, 11:30am – 1:15pm, 4235 Departure Bay Rd 
 
Saturdays:  
Generations, 9:45am – 12:15pm, 1300 Princess Royal Ave 
 
Sundays: 
Harvest, 1:30pm – 3:20pm, 6553 Portsmouth Rd 

North Island Free Food Markets: 
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays: 
A Frame, 12pm – 1:45pm, 175 Cedar Street, Port McNeill 
 
Tuesdays 
Harvest, 4:15pm – 5:45pm, 7120 Market Street, Port Hardy 

Thursdays 
Harvest, 11:45am – 1:15pm, 7120 Market Street, Port Hardy 

Thursdays (once a month – typically 3rd Thursday) 
St John’s Ecumenical, 1:30pm – 3:15pm, 1100 Nigei St, Port Alice 

If you’ve ever received a reminder email from us, you have an account.  If your email address has changed, you can email us for assistance.  Please DO NOT create a new account (you’ll lose your history of volunteer hours)!  

*Please note if you haven’t logged in for some time, you may need to take two minutes to reset your password and update your profile (quick & easy one-time process)! 

1. Go to https://www.cervistech.com/acts/login.php?org_id=0153

2. Enter your email 

3. Click don't know/forgot password below 

4. Send a temporary password to the email used for your account 

5. Use the temporary password sent to your email to log into your account 

6. Set a new password (it needs to be a minimum of 6 characters with no other special requirements) 

If you ever aren’t able to make a shift, we ask that you let us know so we can plan accordingly.  You can do that one of two ways:  

1. You will receive automated reminder emails for each of your scheduled shifts. Use the cancellation option found in the automated email reminder you receive prior to your scheduled shifts  

2. For shifts you haven’t received an email for yet:  Log into your online account here and unregister for any shifts you are no longer available for:  

   Step 1: Visit our website (vifoodbank.org) -> Get Involved -> Volunteer -> Individual Shift Sign Up

   Step 2: View or Cancel Registration for an Upcoming Event  

   Step 3: Check box beside the shift(s) you are no longer able to make  

   Step 4: Scroll down to the end of the list and press ‘Cancel selected registration(s)’ 

*Please note if you haven’t logged in for some time, you may need to take two minutes to reset your password and update your profile (quick & easy one-time process)!

Please encourage them to visit our website to learn more about how they can get involved and join us.  You can now coordinate with friends/family/coworkers to sign up for the same shift(s) directly from our website! 

We welcome volunteers ages 10+ to join us. All new Youth and Adult volunteers must go through our regular volunteer intake process:

 Youth 10-15 years of age: 

* can volunteer at any of our locations alongside a parent or guardian 

* the parent or guardian must register for only one volunteer slot for themselves and their child 

* we recommend a minimum age of 13 if a youth is serving alongside a parent or guardian at  

one of our Free Food Markets 

- While we understand children and youth can grow in compassion and interpersonal skills through direct service to our clients alongside a parent or guardian, there are also times (not often) when clients can become upset, use inappropriate language, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Parents and guardians should evaluate their child's maturity level / ability to serve at our Free Food Markets with these potential scenarios in mind. 
 

Youth 16 years and older: 

* can volunteer on their own 

* can register for their volunteer shifts 

* do not need to accompany a parent or guardian, but are welcome to serve together