Do you love books and reading? Join us at the Calgary Food bank to help us get books into the homes children who may have little or no access to books and reading. Volunteers must have some knowledge of children’s books including age appropriate books; a friendly and warm demeanor and commit (as much as possible) to a Wednesday shift once every three weeks. Together we set up a table and distribute over 500 hundred books to Food Bank clients with children in their lives. We share 4-5 books age appropriate books for each child and the children who accompany their parents have the fun experience of picking out their own books, with the help of our wonderful volunteers.

There are three shifts throughout the day. The morning shift is from 9:45–1:00; afternoon shift from 1:00-4:00 and evening shift from 5:45-8:00. The Calgary Reads Coordinator will be at the Food Bank for set up and take down. As a volunteer, your duties include; setting up and taking down our display in a designated area; counting and recording books at the start of the day and at the end of the day; helping and advising parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles and children, on what books to choose to take home; replenish the books displayed by age groups and interact with the public.

It is indescribable, the joy and gratitude these families have when they receive a bag full of free children’s books. This is a wonderful volunteer experience that is so satisfying and heart-warming.