The Elliott Lake Food Bank received the Advocacy Award at Feed Ontario’s annual conference last week.
The Feed Ontario Awards for Excellence honour food banks that have demonstrated exceptional work in innovation, advocacy, and leadership among Ontario’s network of food banks. The awards are presented each year at Feed Ontario’s annual conference which was held this year in Cambridge, Ontario.
“Each day, more than 1,200 hunger-relief organizations in the Feed Ontario network tackle the incredible task of meeting the increased demand food banks are experiencing across the province,” said Carolyn Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Feed Ontario. “Each and every organization, staff member, volunteer, and the donors that support them, do incredible work in their communities. Feed Ontario congratulates our three award winners this year for their exceptional innovation, leadership, and advocacy for an Ontario where everyone is food secure.”
The Advocacy Award is presented to a food bank that has been a strong advocate for long-term hunger relief in its community through excellence in research, government relations, or community organizing.
The Elliot Lake Food Bank has experienced significant growth, extending its service to become a hub in the area that supports six new hunger-relief services.
In doing so, it has moved to a larger facility with increased storage and refrigeration. The Food Bank operates with the support of one part-time paid position and a passionate board of directors.
Past recipients of the Advocacy Award include Feed the Need in Durham, Project SHARE in Niagara Falls, and The Inn of the Good Shepherd in Sarnia.
“This award acknowledges the tremendous commitment and effort that our volunteers have made over the past 31 years, to ensure that our residents did not go hungry,” said food bank president Len Kutchaw. “Over the years we have received tremendous support from the community, both financially and in volunteer support. These volunteers have provided very sound management of the food bank. Over the past few years, we have been able to help other groups and organizations. We are very proud of our contribution to the Community Wellness program, in our region.”