Food Rescue
Join us as a volunteer and work with food rescue organizations, shelters, and community kitchens to help deliver nutritious meals to individuals and families. Together, we can reduce food waste and make a lasting difference in Athens’ communities!
In Greece, food waste is a significant challenge, contributing to economic and environmental problems. Despite various efforts, 10% of the population still faces food insecurity – higher than the European average. That’s where your support is crucial!
Our Food Rescue Programme tackles this issue by rescuing surplus food and distributing it to those in need. It’s not just about providing meals; it’s about offering support, creating a sense of belonging and fostering a safe space where people come together to share food and connect with others.
As a volunteer, you will work alongside food rescue organisations, including shelters and community kitchens, to ensure that nutritious meals reach beneficiaries. Your efforts will help reduce food waste while making a significant impact on the communities of Athens.
What to Expect?
- Community Impact: Help redistribute food to those in need.
- Volunteer Collaboration: Work alongside local volunteer teams to ensure food reaches the people who need it most.
- Operational Support: Assist in the collection, packing, storage, and distribution of food donations.
Daily Tasks:
- Food Preparation: Help sort the food and organise it into the meal boxes.
- Food Collection: Take part in the collection of surplus food, mainly from food markets, to be distributed to beneficiaries.
- Organising and Storing Food: Help organise containers, wash and dry equipment and store food in fridges and freezers.
- Preparing Meal Boxes: Organise and prepare meal boxes for distribution to families and beneficiaries.
- Quality Control: Ensure food quality by carrying out checks on meals and packaging.
- Distribution Assistance: Confirm the list of beneficiaries and distribute food to individuals and families in need.
Why Join?
- Make a Difference: Help fight food waste and hunger by contributing to a more sustainable and compassionate community in Athens.
- Gain Experience: Develop skills in food management, logistics and community support while working with a passionate team.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience the culture of Athens while making a tangible difference to the lives of people facing food insecurity.
Ready to join?
Included
- Pick up from the Athens airport & transfer to the accommodation on Sundays (from 7am to 10pm only). There is an extra cost for pickups before or after this schedule.
- Accommodation at a female or mixed-gender shared room in a hostel. Shared use of common spaces, and free WIFI
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Local style. Vegetarian, gluten-free and meals for lactose-intolerant are also available upon request)
- Orientation event on arrival (including introduction to Greece and its culture, volunteer experience, overview of programs, practical information, safety guidelines)
- Guided city tour in Athens
- The best local tips to discover the country!
- Allocation and coordination of a work placement in an impactful non-profit project
- Introduction on the first day of volunteering
- Ongoing support throughout the stay
- 24h/7 emergency support personally or by phone
FAQ
What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18+
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
Do I have to pay money for volunteering?+
You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!
How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?+
The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!
What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?+
Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.
Can I cook in the accommodation?+
Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.
How much money should I bring to my program?+
Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!
How many people will be I be volunteering with?+
Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!
In case of need, how do I get health care?+
All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.
Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?+
Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.
Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!
Do I need to speak the local language?+
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.
How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?+
You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.
