Dawn Kierstead is a current U of A student working towards a Political Sciences degree. Passionate about food security, Dawn was introduced to the Grocery Run volunteer program through the University’s Community Service Learning Program, which gives students the opportunity to make a difference in the local community as part of a university course. Now the Grocery Run Program Facilitator, Dawn takes her lessons from CSL and practices applying them to the real world.

Dawn is incredibly passionate about volunteering and food security and sets incremental goals to increase her hours spent contributing to the community. In addition to Grocery Run, she also helps out with the Make A Wish Foundation, and Strathcona Foodbank, as well as helps with programming at schools in the Edmonton area. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog in the river valley and baking. She loves her time with Grocery Run because of the amazing atmosphere working with other volunteers, plus it allows her to meet so many new people from around the world.

Grocery Run is unique in that it understands the special requirements that different cultural groups, immigrants, refugees, or those who do not speak English as a first language have and works to match groups with food items that allow them to eat a nutritional, whole, comfortable meal. This includes making sure that religious beliefs such as Halal or Kosher foods are accommodated, but also goes as far as to consider what foods someone may be familiar with or know how to cook. Hamburger Helper as an example could be considered a cultural staple here but someone new to Canada may not understand what it is, or how to make it. They also work with local farms to provide fresh produce, which is another incredibly important aspect of Food Dignity which supports the right to healthy and nutritious food.

One of Dawn’s most memorable volunteering memories involves being able to offer a family extra portions of fresh strawberries. The person receiving the food was so excited about being able to take the strawberries back to her 3 and 5-year-old children, who normally do not have access to them. Dawn says this is a great example of “how every day has that little moment where you go “Oh, this really matters!”.

Dawn’s advice to future volunteers? “Volunteering can seem like a daunting thing especially when the community is tight-knit - but people are so welcoming! It can be scary to go, but once you go, you are part of a family who are all interested in helping people. No matter your skills there is something for you to do. The first step is to go - someone will have a job for you. Have the courage to open the door and make the first step”.

Grocery Run relies heavily on volunteer support to carry through their daily operations. With the rise of inflation, they are seeing an increase of families accessing services as well as an increase in difficulty recruiting volunteer driver support.  The Grocery Run accepts solo volunteers as well as groups, so you can bring a friend or two. There are options to work with others, or alone depending on your preference.  Sign up for shifts and find out more about the Grocery run online HERE.