Small Group Volunteer Opportunity - Turkey Drive Event - December 6 & 7, 2025

What is the Turkey Drive?  

Turkey Drive is our annual “turkey-raiser” for Food for Life, where we ask grocery store customers to purchase a frozen turkey and donate it to a family in need in Halton for the holidays. Volunteers are placed throughout the grocery store to engage with shoppers. Customers pay for their turkey at the front cash and then volunteers collecting them. Food for Life will deliver the turkeys throughout the community in time for the holidays. At our 2024 event, we were able to provide over 900 families in need with a turkey for their holiday meals.

About Food for Life 

Food for Life rescues good surplus food from all parts of the supply chain and shares it with neighbours who need access to fresh, healthy food. We support over 90 food programs in Halton and Hamilton, which in turn feeds over 4,500 households each week. Last year, we rescued over 4.5 million lbs of food and helped to divert over 6 million kgs of greenhouse gases.   

When is the Turkey Drive?   

The Turkey Drive is held over the first weekend in December. This year our Turkey Drive is taking place:   
Saturday, December 6 – 10:00am-4:00pm   
Sunday, December 7 – 10:00am-4:00pm   

Volunteer Needs   

There are two shifts for volunteers: the morning shift from 9:45am-1:00pm, and the afternoon shift from 12:45-4:00pm. We aim to have at least 8 committed volunteers per shift. Volunteers will be placed in pairs at the entrance, the meat department, and front cash. 
This volunteer opportunity would be best suited for volunteers 16 years +. We will consider groups with youth under 16, but would be required to have a parent or guardian volunteering with them. 

Volunteer Roles: 

Meat Department Role/Front Entrance Role - Letting shoppers know we are collecting for our annual Turkey Drive, and to please consider donating a turkey to a family in need.  

Front Cash Role - At the front cash, volunteers will be helping to collect the purchased turkeys in a cart and thanking shoppers for their donation. They will update the turkey count sheet during their shift as turkeys are being purchased. They will also accept any cash donations.

More detailed instructions, any supplies needed, and talking points will be provided to your team on the day of the event.  

Do you have a group or team between 4-12 individuals that are looking to help make a difference in your community this holiday season? Please apply by emailing volunteer@foodforlife.ca with the subject "Turkey Drive Group Volunteering" by November 6, 2025.