Community Impact !

Your Contribution matters!
Thank you for giving to the Bread of Life.  Your time and donations make an impact!  Your contributions produce meaningful results where everyone benefits: The Community, Our Guests, and Our Volunteers.

We are a gateway for people to access local community services. We fill the gap in the needs of our community that are not able to be met through government agencies, our services help extend their reach using resources received from our generous community.  Our Strength is in our ability to give those who experience barriers a chance to access food, and to reach out and build a community support system. We are a community of second chances. Bread of life Board, staff and volunteers work hard to be in a state of betterment and growth.  Seeking new opportunities that produce results and lasting change for challenges in our community. With these efforts we hope to grow our services, continue to aid our government community initiatives and be a part of the solution. 
At the bread of life one of our goals is to break stereo types.  Each guest represents a unique individual, with a unique story that comes with obstacles, challenges and victories. I must admit the first day I walked through the Bread of life doors. I felt intimidated but not by how people treated me but by the image I had built up in my mind. Each guest that we serve is someone you might run into on the street but also in park, the grocery store, school, bank, library, pool. The term Guest is not just a polite word to describe a specific demographic it is a word used to explain how we want our community to feel when they walk in the door.  We may be a little rough around the edges, we might not offer a pretty picture, but we serve and give and accept everyone for where they are at!
Your generosity makes sure that people in our community do not go hungry, but it produces more than a nutritious meal or take-home groceries.  Your generosity allows our Guests your neighbors and fellow community members) to access medical, social services, referrals and even more importantly a place to connect and relate with others.

      “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nations compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another” – (E. Bommeck)
Volunteering is often considered to be a selfless giving action but research into the benefits of Volunteerism shows that the benefits often outweigh the sacrifices made. I believe that one of the most positively selfish things you can do for your future is Volunteer.  Strong volunteers are known as being, kind, responsible, dependable, flexible, adaptable, trainable, hard working, creative, inspirational, community leaders and local “Hero’s”.  Regardless of where one spends time volunteering these words are true of the types of qualities that individuals grow in and share with others when they volunteer.  These qualities are character pieces that enhance work skills, give students experience, opens opportunities for individuals looking for career changes, or give newcomers to Canada a place to practice language, and make connections in their new country of residence. Volunteers make a positive impact on the world around them and the personal results they experience are powerful.  As a result growth of feelings of good will, staying active and newfound friends and support system are developed and studies have shown that those who make  time to volunteer tend to live a longer more quality life.
At the Bread of life, we work to make our kitchen and pantry a positive volunteer environment. When you join us in impacting those with barriers or food insecurities in our community you are reflecting the true heart of the Community of Port Alberni – a community of generous, kind, compassionate, problem solvers.  


If you are interested  in volunteer opportunities through the Bread of life, We would love to hear from you.

You can stop in during our open hours  or email/call to arrange an orientation/information meet


Kim Portillo
Volunteer Coordinator

breadoflifesoceity@shaw.ca
(250)723 4049 (leave a voice message)
(306) 737 4421 (Text)