Hi everyone,

My name is Hazel Grassie and I’m currently volunteering for FoodCloud as a remote ‘Partnerships Engagement Specialist’. This involves contacting charities regarding their food donation offers and supporting them in ways that will enhance their engagement with food donors, and strengthen their partnership with FoodCloud.

First, a little bit about me! I have a love for muddy boots and expansive views..I’ll do pretty much anything to have a picnic whilst feeling on top of the world. I recently hiked Ben Gorm in County Mayo which was incredible. I am a master at pottering.. not making pottery, no, pottering. Doing many useful things that weren’t on any list at the start of the day. This does however result in a very tidy and fruitful garden. I’m currently growing veggies and herbs for summer salads. I love to read and do crafty things, but usually can’t sit still for too long. This means, days or weekends are spent exploring in the campervan or paddle boarding in the summer (because I’m a wuss in cold water!). I’ve done my fair share of travelling including South America, Southeast Asia and more recently Australia and New Zealand. Always open to travel and holiday recommendations!

I chose to volunteer with FoodCloud because, having recently moved back home to Ireland, I wanted to contribute my time and skills to something I feel passionate about. Food growing, cooking and nutrition are all close to my heart having spent much of my career as a Community Nutritionist, promoting heath in disadvantaged populations through teaching cookery skills alongside food and nutrition education. Working with low incomes families, I tailored support to offer realistic ways of creating healthy meals on a budget, much of which involved smart shopping, food storage and resourceful recipes. Latterly, I worked as an Engagement Manager for the UKs Diabetes Prevention Programme and after that, a Corporate Relationship Manager for an organization focused on workplace mental wellbeing.

I had heard about FoodCloud through a friend who works at a local charity that receives FoodCloud donations. Naturally, when I saw the ‘Partnership Engagement’ volunteer opportunity, I didn’t think twice. I had recently travelled New Zealand in a campervan, so cooking on a budget with limited resources was very fresh in my mind too!

When I volunteer, I prepare by turning on my laptop and logging into the various platforms needed for the task. 

These include

1. Foodiverse - the database holding all information regarding charities and food donor partners, and the food offers made. 

2. Engagement spreadsheet - a list of all charities that have not recently responded to food donation offers made. 

3. Twilio - the platform used to make calls to contacts at the charity. 4. Survey- a form that is completed detailing any issues that the charity might be having in accepting food donations. 

Once I have all of these sources of information open, I start to investigate the offer history to the charity to gather useful information and get the most from my calls. For example, it may be that donations from the same donor are accepted on certain days but often rejected on other days. This information is helpful, as it will make my query more specific. I make calls to the charities listed and we discussed if they have any barriers to accepting donations. Barriers are various, including the person who usually collects being unwell or changed, the types of foods on offer, logistical difficulties in collecting or issues with the app. It is my job to ensure that these issues are passed along to be resolved. The highlight of this work for me is the gratitude that charities have for FoodCloud and for my call, which reassures them that we are here to support them, so that food reaches their beneficiaries.

Despite being relatively new to the FoodCloud volunteering network, I already feel a sense of pride and purpose through contributing to a mission, which has such vast impact socially, economically and environmentally. I believe in respect and care for others and for our planet, so this volunteering role is perfect for me. I feel I am behind the scenes, yet definitely part of the wider objective to both rescue surplus food and nourish those who need it the most. It is hugely fulfilling to know that your contribution to this mission is recognized, appreciated and most of all, valuable. I would recommend anyone to volunteer at FoodCloud as the team is communicative, approachable and kind.

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