Volunteers recognized for work with Food Sharing
Posted on 12/21/2018
Three individuals from the Limestone District School Board were presented with a David Parry Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to The Food Sharing Project.
As a trustee with the Limestone District School Board, Dave Parry enthusiastically joined the Board of Directors of The Food Sharing Project. For over ten years, Dave was a passionate advocate for the Food Sharing Project in the Board room and in the community. This award was created to honour his memory and to recognize the efforts of individuals or groups whose acts of kindness and caring make the lives of our students better.
Trustee David Jackson received the award posthumously for his 10 years with Food Sharing. David brought vast experience, common sense, a sense of humour and a strong moral compass to every discussion at the Board table. Over the years his experience, gathered through years of community advocacy work, helped guide Food Sharing to grow. David's sister, Marilyn Jackson, accepted the award on his behalf.
Bayridge Public School Coordinator Sharon MacDuff was recognized for her work with Food Sharing since 2009. Sharon is a School-to-Community teacher who works with the team at Educational Services to put together a "wrap around" program to meet students needs in all areas. We know that students cannot be expected to be ready to learn when they are hungry. Sharon's hard work in terms of ordering, tracking and co-ordinating the preparation and distribution of these food items means that her students, and all the students in the school, have healthy things to eat on a daily basis.
Don Wartman has been running the Food Sharing Program at Calvin Park since 2012 and before that supported the program at Polson Park Public School. Don focuses on the nutritional side of the program. He eliminated cereal bars, in exchange for fresh fruit & vegetables. Years ago, he eliminated apple juice in favour of water. His philosophy is to provide nourishing foods that sustains the kids’ needs, to be able to focus on their school work. Beyond that, he views that his role is to provide food based on needs, and making sure there is a safe welcoming space.
During the last school year, the Food Sharing Project fed 15,000 children in our programs. Without the generous support and dedication of its volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible for Food Sharing to narrow the nutritional gap which exists for so many of our students and to help them take advantage of every opportunity presented to them at school.
To learn more about the Food Sharing Project, or to make a donation, visit their
website.