Help Fight Hunger in Vancouver!

In January of 2024, I saw a post in a local Facebook group calling for volunteers at a local food pantry. I had no idea how reaching out for more information would change my life!

Three months earlier, mere days before giving birth to my second child, I found out my contract at a major tech company would not be renewed. Within a week I found myself recovering from a c-section and navigating the vulnerable postpartum stage while unexpectedly unemployed. I was sleep deprived and physically and emotionally drained from birth and postpartum, but I had to start my job hunt anyway.

After months of submitting hundreds of applications with no response, I knew I needed to prepare to be unemployed longer than I had anticipated. I fell into a deep depression - I went from being a top contributor on teams at major companies to not even being able to get a screening call for jobs. I began to doubt my abilities and my worth. I knew I need to create structure and feel like I was contributing something, somewhere.

Then came FISH. I quickly found a niche in a role at the check in desk, and volunteered several times a week. 

Seeing food insecurity up close was extremely eye-opening for me. It reminded me how lucky I was - if my partner didn't have a solid income, it would be me coming in to shop. The only difference between myself and most clients was pure luck. Spending a few times a week at FISH, I really began to feel like I was contributing something meaningful to my community. I left each shift feeling reinvigorated - knowing that while I couldn't change the world, I could do my part to help the people in need right here in my own city.

FISH brought me more than just structure - it brought me perspective, purpose, reignited my sense of self-worth, filled my life with intergenerational friendships, and eventually, it even brought me a job! 

I began working part time at FISH in February of 2025 and moved to a full time role in July. Each day, I genuinely look forward to going to work. Not only do I get to help my community in a tangible, critical way, but I get to do it alongside one of the best teams I've ever worked with, supported by an incredibly diverse group of volunteers from many different generations, religions, political views, and backgrounds. We come together each day to bring a little hope and stability to our community through food, and we do it with kindness, compassion, and humor.

I hope you'll consider supporting FISH and our critical mission!

A typical meeting with the awesome FISH team!