Food Banks Canada Announces its Recipients for the Diamond Jubilee Medal

Thirty-three individuals across Canada to receive recognition for their work in food banking

TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Food Banks Canada is honoured to announce its 33 recipients of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals. These individuals were chosen because of the significant impact they have made in the food banking community.  These medals are bestowed in recognition of the Queen's 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals are being awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region or community within Canada.

"We are extremely pleased to have this opportunity to recognize and honour the heart and soul of the food bank community," says Robin Garret Food Banks Canada Chair. "These are truly distinguished men and women and they deserve to be recognized by their peers."

Food Banks Canada, the national organization representing food banks and addressing hunger in Canada, was selected by His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, to be a partner among a select group of non-governmental organizations in awarding 33 medals to recognize the volunteers and employees of food banks who have built and continue to build a caring society and country through their service, contributions and achievements. The individuals recognized by Food Banks Canada were nominated by the public and are from every region in the country. Each community will be hosting ceremonies for their local recipients to honour their contribution and award them the medal in front of their friends, families and colleagues.

"The individuals selected for the Diamond Jubilee award are outstanding leaders in their communities," says Wanda Drodge, Member Council representative at Food Banks Canada.  "They have gone truly above and beyond the call of duty and have given back to their communities by helping thousands of Canadians in need."

Food Banks Canada Diamond Jubilee Medal Recipients are:

Pat Graham	Olds	AB	Mountain View Food Bank Society
Shiraz Haji	Calgary	AB	Calgary Interfaith Food Bank
Thelma Henry	Calgary	AB	Calgary Interfaith Food Bank
Deb Billwiller	Grand Forks	BC	Boundary Food Bank Society
Robert Hicks	Forest Grove	BC	100 Mile House Food Bank
Christine Simmons	Penticton	BC	Penticton Salvation Army Food Bank
Beverley Elder	Sidney	BC	Sidney Lions Food Bank
Gwen Nelson	Mount Currie	BC	Sea to Sky Community Services
Kathryn Molloy	Gabriola Island	BC	People for a Healthy Community on Gabriola Island
Ann Ledwich	Winnipeg	MB	Winnipeg Harvest
Garth Buchko	Winnipeg	MB	Winnipeg Harvest
Marla Somersall	Brandon	MB	Samaritan House Ministries Inc.
Rhoda Kernested	Teulon	MB	Teulon & District Food Bank
Larry McIntosh	Winnipeg	MB	Winnipeg Harvest
John Graham	Winnipeg	MB	Winnipeg Harvest
Marie Corkery	Saint John	NB	North End Food Bank
Douglas Furey	Cupids	NL	The Community Food Sharing Association
Dianne Swinemar	Halifax	NS	FEED NOVA SCOTIA
Dave Kranenburg	Toronto	ON	Meal Exchange
Dennis Bray	Niagara Falls	ON	Project SHARE
June Muir	Windsor	ON	Windsor Essex Food Bank Association
Richard Kennard	Toronto	ON	North York Harvest
Vivian Johnston	Cobalt	ON	Cobalt, Coleman, Latchford & Area Food Bank
Charles Packer	Deep River	ON	Deep River and Area Food Bank
George Leger	Cobourg	ON	Northumberland Fare Share Food Banks
Roberta Sommerville	Lindsay	ON	Kawartha Lakes Food Source
Agnes Ward	Trenton	ON	Care Share Food Bank
Monique Trépanier	Trois-Rivières	QC	Moisson Mauricie
Zakary Rhissa	Montréal	QC	Banques alimentaires Québec
Norman Dunn	Granby	QC	SOS Dépanage Granby et Région inc.
Linda Guedo	Saskatoon	SK	Saskatoon Food Bank
Bill Hall	North Battleford	SK	Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre
Elaine Chalifoux	Whitehorse	YT	Food Bank Society of Whitehorse

Congratulations to all the award recipients.

About Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada. Our Members, Affiliate Member food banks, and their respective agencies serve approximately 85% of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide. Our mission is to meet the short-term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger. Please visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

About the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal

A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60^th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

During the year of celebrations, 60,000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.

 

SOURCE: Food Banks Canada

Media contact:
Marzena Gersho
Food Banks Canada
647-242-5919 (mobile) or
[phone] ext. 228 (office)
[email protected]