Four volunteers recognized for outstanding service with the Barbara Truax Volunteer Award

Pictured Left to Right: Kate Dorotheou (KLFS Staff), Pat Gassien, Linda Berry, Cecylia Barr, Barb Truax and Jennifer Styles.

In 2020, a group of dedicated, long-serving volunteers went above and beyond to help Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS) continue functioning through the pandemic. Linda Berry, Cecylia Barr, Pat Gassien and Jennifer Styles showed great dedication in the face of unprecedented challenges, and because of this are being awarded the 2020 Barb Truax Volunteer Award.

In April 2020, when the KLFS volunteer program needed to be shutdown to keep staff, volunteers and community members safe, the group affectionately known to staff as the donation sorting Dream Team, stepped up.

Kawartha Lakes Food Source relies heavily on volunteer support, as the jobs are many and the number of staff is small. Without volunteers to sort the incoming food, KLFS would not be able to get that food out to member food banks as quickly. Linda, Cecylia, Pat and Jennifer, came in one at a time, wore as much PPE as could be fit on them, and continued their important work in the midst of those frightening early pandemic days.

The steadfast commitment through an overwhelming time was incredibly appreciated by Kawartha Lakes Food Source staff. Distribution centre services were able to continue through that harrowing time, in large part due to their help and we salute them for it.

The Barbara Truax Volunteer Award was established in 2017 and is awarded each year to volunteers of the Kawartha Lakes Food Source who: have been an active volunteer for more than three years; are a positive force within the community; and are committed to the cause of combatting hunger within the City of Kawartha Lakes. The award honors the contributions, dedication, and positive energy of one of our longest serving volunteers, Barbara Truax.