About Us
KLFS is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers from across the City of Kawartha Lakes.
We operate from a centralized distribution centre, where we collect food from reclamation sources, buy food in bulk, sort and store food, promote awareness of hunger and its impact, and coordinate fundraising.
We provide food to member organizations on a monthly, fair share basis.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Kawartha Lakes Food Source operates on the stolen and ancestral lands of the Mississauga Nishnaabeg, Wendake-Nionwentsïo and Haudenosaunee people. The legacy of colonialism and its continued impact on Indigenous Nations is something that we must continuously work to reconcile. Please consult native-land.ca as you either begin or continue your anti-colonial journey.
Our Mission
Kawartha Lakes Food Source strives to reduce hunger in the City of Kawartha Lakes by:
Maintaining a central distribution centre to support member organizations that provide food to those in need,
raising public awareness about food insecurity through education,
working in concert with our community, and
addressing local needs through the creation and implementation of resilience-based programs.
Our Values
The programs and services we deliver reflect the values of our organization:
Collaboration with those who serve the food insecure
Accountability to all stakeholders
Respect for all
Equity, diversity, and inclusion
Support for positive change
Kawartha Lakes Food Source is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics as mentioned in the Employment Equity Act.
Kawartha Lakes Food Source respects the privacy of our clients, donors, and volunteers. Our Privacy and Confidentiality Policy is available upon request.
Our Team
Heather Kirby
Executive Director
Heather has lived nearly her entire life in Bobcaygeon. From a young age she knew this is where she would plant family roots. Heather has worked in the not-for profit sector for over 15 years, getting her start with environmental organizations. Since 2016, she has been the Executive Director of KLFS where she pushes food security efforts and collaborates with other social service groups. She knows KLFS can make life a little less challenging for people who have been historically and systematically disadvantaged.
Derrick Taylor
Distribution Centre Manager
Derrick grew up in Durham Region Port Perry/Blackstock area and has now lived in Kawartha Lakes for 23 years. Before joining our team, he spent 15 years farming and worked for Noma Industries in Stouffville. Derrick has dedicated 18 years to foster care and has raised 5 children as well as one son of his own.
Ashley Anderson
LCFM Coordinator
Ashley is a mother of three and a trained horticulturist. She and her family enjoy spending time in nature and cooking meals together. Having lived experience has given Ashley a passion for helping others connect with the resources they need. Knowing that she is making a positive difference in the lives of others and working alongside the friendly volunteers in the distribution centre makes her work meaningful and enjoyable.
Laura Butler
Digital Content Creator
Laura is a visual artist working with KLFS to create a positive and impactful presence online in effort to better serve and connect with the community. She is excited about remaining in touch with her hometown throughout her career while she pursues a Master of Fine Art degree at OCAD University in Toronto.
Erika Henry
Open Gardens Program Coordinator
After a decade working in communications and marketing, Erika recently relocated to the Kawarthas from Toronto to align her lifestyle with her values and pursue more meaningful work. Motivated by a desire to connect to the land and to community through food, she attended the Sustainable Agriculture program at Fleming College. Erika believes that the future of food security must be rooted in community and connection to place. She is honoured to support KLFS’ mission through her work in the gardens.
Brittni Wells
Volunteer Relations Coordinator
Brittni contributes a wealth of knowledge to the KLFS team, where she is responsible for the volunteer program. With a background in Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies from the University of Waterloo, and currently pursuing a BA in Gender and Equity at Trent University, she has a profound understanding of human dynamics and social issues. Her prior roles include managing a telecommunications store and serving as Operations Coordinator, where she honed skills in customer and employee relationship management.
Keisha Wakelin
LCFM Co-op Student
Pursuing an education in Social Service Work, Keisha is currently working as a co-op student at the Lindsay Community Food Market. Her experience and education allows her to understand the root causes of food insecurity and what can be done to help our community. Keisha puts her best, most positive energy into every task, hoping to make someone’s day a little brighter. KLFS is extremely grateful to have Keisha and the help of co-op students!
Our Current Board
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Past Chair
After Rose retired from her role as a senior manager in the Provincial Government, she and her husband Rob relocated to Lindsay, where they both enjoy having increased time to contribute to the community and to the lives of their children and grandchildren. Rose’s interest in food security was sparked at an early age, due to experiences in her family of origin and her local community. In her professional life, Rose obtained a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology and a Doctorate in Education and she put her education to use, working as a counselor, optician and educator. She taught for many years, at the high school, college and university levels, and subsequently oversaw the development of diploma and certification programs for a number of professions. Rose continues to sit on two accreditation bodies; one that accredits international fire service certification agencies and one that accredits opticianary diploma programs across Canada.
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Chair
Kelland Sewell is the Senior Vice President for rPM3 Solutions, LLC and President of rPM3 Solutions Canada Inc. In his spare time, Mr. Sewell volunteers on the M&P Committee for the Kawartha Chamber. Kelland joined forces with rPM3 in 2016. Previously, he was the Manager of Risk and Policy for Qulliq Energy Corporation.
He brings a wide range of experience to the risk arena having worked in the areas of Finance, Operations, Engineering, Corporate Services, and Retail. As a risk practitioner he has a ground floor view of what it takes to implement an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program. Risk is the watchword for Kelland, as he helps organizations to reduce
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Vice Chair
Andrew is an Advisor with Farm Life who helps coach families through their business succession and estate planning journey. He works with families to create tax efficient succession plans that ensure the longevity of family farms and agri-business, while also ensuring the family harmony remains intact throughout the process. Andrew has previously worked in sales and marketing roles with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and Trent University and looks to combine his experience in finance, sales, marketing, and agriculture to help give back to the local community.
Since moving to the Kawartha Lakes from England in 2004, Andrews family have been actively farming in the area. Andrew now calls Lindsay home where he lives with his wife, Ashley, and two daughters.
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Secretary
Mike is the co-owner and General Manager of Remedy’s RX on Kent, a local pharmacy in downtown Lindsay operated by his wife Cathy.
He retired in 2019 after 27 years in non-profit management with local organizations, including the Community Care Health & Care Network.
Mike has volunteered with many local organizations for more than 35 years, including the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, Kawartha Lakes Lacrosse Association, Lindsay & District Sports Hall of Fame, Lindsay Boys & Girls Club and Kinsmen Club of Lindsay.
Mike and Cathy have two children – son James, a graduate of Queen’s University, lives and works in Kingston, and daughter Marin is a graduate of the University of Guelph and is a health care services manager in that city.
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Treasurer
Trina was born and raised in Bobcaygeon and is now at her forever home in Downeyville with her husband and their two sons.
Trina obtained her Bachelor of Administrative Studies at Trent University and subsequently achieved her Chartered Professional Accountant designation. Trina has worked at BDO Canada LLP her entire career and is a Partner in the Lindsay office of this national accounting firm. She has over 20 years of professional experience providing assurance, accounting and tax services to her clients. Trina’s expertise is in serving small and medium-sized owner-managed businesses as well as not-for-profit organizations and public sector clients. This diverse background provides Trina with a wealth of knowledge and innovative strategies to help her clients.
Trina has volunteered her time with several non for profits organizations over the years, with a focus on finance and governance. In her downtime she cheers her son’s on at the lacrosse fields and hockey rinks.
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Director
Adele Russell brings many years of fundraising, event planning and leadership experience to the role of Director. Her passion for assisting those most vulnerable in society has been demonstrated by many years working for social assistance in the UK before coming to Canada, where she has spent the last nine years working in various roles at Fleming College, mostly at the Lindsay campus. Helping students succeed has been very rewarding and she has now spent the past two years in the role of Senior Development Officer, largely working with corporate partners for student and program support.
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Director
Dianne Allen and her husband were teachers, living and working in different communities like Toronto, Pickering, Markham, Tillsonburg, and Sudbury. Giving back has always been very important to Dianne, taking on various volunteer roles in most of these communities throughout her career.
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Director
Denise Passmore is the Customer Experience Lead at Scotiabank in Lindsay, where she oversees day-to-day client transactions, as well as manages risk and advocates for seniors. Denise has been with Scotiabank for 23 years, and has lived in Lindsay since high school with her husband and two children. Through Scotiabank, she has been a volunteer for Community Care, Women’s Resources, Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Salvation Army Lindsay Food Bank.
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Director
Kenna grew up in Whitby and has recently moved to the Lindsay area after receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University with a specialization in accounting. Since then, Kenna has achieved her Chartered Professional Accountant designation and has been working at BDO Canada LLP since 2020. Her expertise is in audit serving for many not-for-profit clients. In her spare time, Kenna plays hockey and enjoys travelling.
Those wishing to communicate with the Board are invited to do so through the Executive Director (Heather Kirby) by calling 705-324-0707 or filling out the form on the contact page.
