By Len Palmer, Volunteer, Harvest Hands Receiving Department
Christmas in July… August… September. Every time the Receiving Dept at Harvest Hands hears the beep, beep, beep of a truck backing up to the dock, there is an anticipation of donated gifts coming our way. It could be 12 to 14 skids from a food distributor like The Hub in Leamington, Huron County in Centralia or Second Harvest in Toronto. Maybe one of our 15 trucks is returning with goods from Costco, Sobey’s, No Frills, Foodland, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Superstore, COBS or other greenhouses, markets, farmers, retailers, and food processors too numerous to mention. The possibility of a couple transport trailers of product a month is not out of the question.
The local market farming season is upon us and we look forward to receiving fresh produce from the fields and greenhouse operations when there is supply available. Never the same items… week after week… it is just like unwrapping a present behind every truck door.
We have a great group of volunteers that record and sort all the items that are donated. A retail price is calculated for every shipment received and we are diligent on checking dates and the quality of the goods. The goods are then distributed around our warehouse to the respective departments to be stored, displayed or further processed.
No day is the same. You could say we are busier than elves some days. Having said that, like elves, we find time for practical jokes, conversation and friendly jabs with our co-workers. All work and no play makes for a dull day!
A favourite quip is “Do a good job and limit the mistakes… employee bonuses are coming at the end of the month… maybe a DOUBLE bonus!” Obviously no pay or bonus is needed when Harvest Hands does so much good in the community. I do believe the Receiving Dept. does receive more bonuses than some other departments (don’t let that get around), especially if an early shift is worked.
We see skids and skids of mixed produce, hard goods, frozen product and bakery goods ushered by us to the dock to be delivered to food banks and organizations that help out with food insecurity. All those items were received by our department, and to see them heading back out the door is bonus enough! We’re happy to play a small part in the Harvest Hands operation.
Len
Volunteer, Harvest Hands Receiving Department
