New volunteer award created

Barbara Truax has been a driving force behind many fundraising efforts and organizations for many, many years including Kawartha Lakes Food Source (KLFS) for 16 years.

Barbara joined the board of directors on July 10, 2002.  She held the positions of director, secretary, vice-chair, and chair.  She then chaired the fundraising committee from 2003 to 2013 and remained an active committee member until October 2017. Barbara has recently felt it was her time to focus on travelling and her family.

To honour the contributions, dedication and positive energy of the second longest serving volunteer of KLFS, the fundraising committee established an award in her name.

The Barbara Truax Volunteer Award will be handed out annually at the KLFS Volunteer Appreciation event.  The recipient will embody the following: have been an active volunteer for more than three years; be a positive force within the community; and be committed to the cause.

Kawartha Lakes Food Source is pleased to share that the first recipient of the Barbara Truax Volunteer Award is Shannon Kuypers.

Shannon has been a member of the fundraising (now events) committee for almost four years.  She jumped in and started to plan events and has raised over $45,000 for KFLS.  She was co-chair of the committee for two years and now focuses on two large events per year – a comedy night and a children’s show.

Shannon volunteers well over 100 hours per year.  She also works full time as a teacher, has a supportive husband, and three very busy children.

KLFS would not be able to provide the much needed support in the City of Kawartha Lakes without volunteers like these.

About Kawartha Lakes Food Source:

KLFS operates from a centralized distribution centre. This is where food is collected from reclamation sources; bought in bulk; and sorted and stored. KLFS also promotes awareness of hunger and its impacts and coordinates fundraising.

Food is provided to member organizations on a monthly fair share basis. KLFS member food banks include: Coboconk, Little Britain, Fenelon Falls Salvation Army, Omemee, Centre of Hope (Lindsay), Woodville and Dunsford.  Women’s Resources serve the women in their care and Fleming College Student Association serve their students.