Bruce W.

As I write this I’m listening to one of Bruce Walker’s ‘top ten’ favourite songs (which he  says is closer to being 25 songs.)

“Operator, oh, could you help me place this call?

See the number on the matchbook is old and faded”

Operator, (That’s Not the Way it Feels) – by Jim Croce  

After talking to Bruce you come a way feeling that volunteering at the London Food Bank (LFB) is like a microcosm of society itself – and how could it be otherwise? And yet, one within an environment that more readily heals your heart and soul.   

Bruce recalls that his involvement started in the spring of 2020. At that time, a friend who works with new arrivals at Fanshawe College, thought that it would better aid her students learn English while helping out at the LFB. Then along came COVID-19 and it was cancelled to restrict the virus from spreading unnecessarily.  

Yet, Bruce, a retired French elementary teacher, felt his organizational skills – plus, his wanting to do something completely different (bagging coffee, tea bags, dealing with the public, etc.) made it a perfect match for him.

Still, that didn’t mean it didn’t come without challenges.

For example, one quality that Bruce really appreciates in others is the ability to identify a need and just fix it. Yet, Bruce sees this play out differently within society –  perhaps a generational gap of which many can relate – especially at special family celebrations whereby the younger family members seem perfectly comfortable not helping out… while other family members do all the cleanup, clearing the table of dishes, etc. To him, this lacks appreciation and respect.

“But isn’t that the way they say it goes?

We’ll let’s forget all that”

But, with his volunteer family team, they can read a situation that’s becoming stressful and have the insight to step in and suggest taking a break. For example, a client was being particular abusive with his remarks and had a pushy attitude with staff… not once but several times. This prompted Bruce to remind the client that he, himself, was a volunteer, but that he, the client, didn’t have to be there.

People like this would be a probable source of problems no matter where they showed up. And although his team knows this to be an exceptional situation, they circle the wagons and take care of their own. And, because they communicate so well as a team, they know what’s needed without being asked.

 “There's something in my eyes
You know it happens every time”

A more common occurrence happened when Bruce was helping wheel out a cart of groceries for an elderly and younger woman. When he got outside, he notice the car was parked around the corner of the facility… with the younger woman inside, not helping. He learn that they were embarrassed and stressed to be there in case of being seen by others who might know them. As Bruce said, It was a real “grounding moment”… a learning situation that underlined why he was there… to help others.

Finally, one point that came up – with the general public re: the London Food Bank – was that since the LFB is so public (promoted on TV and other news outlets) people pull back from helping because they assume it, and the volunteers, will always been there… not realizing, as LFB co-director, Glen Pearson, said that we’re in “record territory.” This creates tension with both the increasing number of clients that need more… and the food banks’ ability to give more. Good luck to the LFB and it volunteers, like Bruce Walker, who keep things rolling!

“I've learned to take it well
I only wish my words could just convince myself
That it just wasn't real
But that's not the way it feels, no, no, no, no”

https://youtu.be/wjsa61YIbJ8 (Watch on YouTube)

Merci beaucoup, Bruce!