It was five years ago following a trip to Europe when Paddy Venturis decided it was time to get involved in a charity again.

The retired Port Moody resident had been organizing a charity for cancer, but it had ended.

"I thought, 'What else could I do?'" Venturis told The NOW.

She was looking to fill a void, so she decided to apply to become a volunteer at the SHARE food bank.

Venturis was assigned Thursdays as her volunteer day. The 67-year-old has never looked back.

"I love it," she said. "I get more than I give." But her modesty hides her own efforts.

Venturis has been giving a lot over the years.

Her role on volunteer days is wide-ranging, from sorting and bagging items, to checking expiry dates and receiving the food donations from the large grocery stores.

She also helps out at special SHARE events.

Along the way, Venturis has formed a particular bond and appreciation for the food bank's special-needs volunteers.

"They work so hard, they just encourage me to do more," she said.

"I'm a better woman for having met all of them."

Though Venturis likes to keep the mood light and positive during her time at the food bank, there are emotional moments.

She recalled one in particular.

Two counsellors from a local high school brought a boy in to the food bank who, they discovered, hadn't eaten in days.

There was no food in the fridge at the home where he lived.

The food bank put the mom and son in the food bank network.

"I had no idea how much was needed," Venturis said, noting many of the food bank's clients are children.

Her time with the food bank also reminds her that even the organization's best efforts don't cover all of its clientele's needs.

"Some people think the food bank feeds them, but it does not," she said, noting clients only get enough to supplement their weekly needs.

As the Remember the Food Bank campaign continues through May, Venturis sees first-hand how much food is really needed in the community, especially around this time of year.

She suggested people tend to be more aware during the Christmas holidays, but by spring, most of the donations have been used up.

For the month of May and into June, SHARE is urging people to start their own food drives in support, or asking people to simply buy an extra item of food when they're out doing their grocery shopping and make a donation.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com