Former executive director of Kawartha Lakes Food Source facing alleged fraud charges
The former executive director of Kawartha Lakes Food Source, Kathy Ridout, was suspended from her post in December of 2025, then terminated in March of this year after an internal audit.
Ridout, who had just been hired in April of 2025 before being removed eight months later, is facing alleged fraud charges connected to her time as ED with Kawartha Lakes Food Source. A person with direct knowledge of the matter, but who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to discuss internal matters, says the amount in question related to the alleged fraud could be for at least $50,000.
A legal representative appeared in court on Ridout’s behalf on July 2 and asked for a delay of 12 weeks, which was granted. No specific charges were read aloud to the court. Ridout will next appear in court on Sept. 24. Ridout is known to go by at least one other surname – Downes.
Prior to her role with Food Source, Ridout had spent 15 years developing and fundraising in the non-profit and public sector. She moved to Fenelon Falls in 2022.
In a prepared media release, Bjorn Alfredsson, chair of the board of Food Source, said, “Our organization is built on the trust of our donors, volunteers, partners, employees and the families we serve.”
“While this has been a difficult situation, we acted immediately upon receipt of the findings of a thorough investigation. We are committed to accountability, transparency, and ensuring every dollar entrusted to us is used to support our mission.”
Kawartha Lakes Weekly reviewed audited financial statements filed with the Canada Revenue Agency. Under expenses, there is an amount of $77,867 listed on page five as “unauthorized transactions.”
On page 11, the auditors note the following: “During the year, management identified certain transactions that required further review regarding the authorization process. As a result, the Organization has recorded an amount of $77,867 in the financial statements as at year end related to identified losses. Additional information may become available and could result in adjustments in a future reporting period. At this time, the Organization is unable to determine whether any amounts will be recoverable. Any recoveries or additional losses will be recognized in the period in which they are realized or become reasonably determinable.”
In its media release, Kawartha Lakes Food Source said it “will continue to implement robust financial controls and internal oversight processes to safeguard the organization.”
The organization emphasized that there has been no interruption to its operations or services, from food assistance programs to donors’ contributions being used to support people experiencing food insecurity.
Ashley Anderson, who has been with Food Source for five years, took over as executive director soon after Ridout was removed.
The non-profit operates with seven employees between its centralized distribution centre and Lindsay-area food bank. The distribution centre, located on Needham Street in Lindsay, is where the organization collects food from reclamation sources, buys food in bulk, sorts and stores food, and promotes awareness of food insecurity. It also operates the Lindsay Community Food Market, a hybrid shopping model food bank that does both hampers and shopping appointments. As indicated on their website, this shopping-style food bank allows clients to choose their foods as they would be able to at a grocery store. The distribution centre also supports many other area food banks.
Kawartha Lakes Food Source also has about 75 volunteers.
Food Source, in its media release, said it will “continue to support the authorities throughout the judicial process.”
An official who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to comment said they “want to see criminal justice done, then restitution,” for Kawartha Lakes Food Source.
When asked if the non-profit was worried about this incident harming its reputation, the source said that Food Source “is the victim of this alleged fraud.”
“I hope the community will rally behind us.”
Stealing from a non-profit is about as low as it can possibly get. Her last employer should do a very thorough audit because I have a funny feeling this isn’t her first time defrauding a business. Clearly this woman had no shame.
Sadly, painful for the organization especially given that, the accused is in a position of trust in a small town. At least it was caught early and proves the accounting is a critical component in protecting the employees and volunteers. White collar crime is real and often goes unreported. I applaud whoever flagged it.
I think it’s a sad state of affairs when the top person at non- profit rips off underprivileged people just trying to eat. Shame on her.
Super low. Where’s the treasurer? Who does the accounting? Ridout must pay the money back. If it isn’t, the legalities & whatever governs a non-profit is a joke, if there are no consequences. Everyone may as well dip their hands in the money pot.
By Lindsay Advocate September 3, 2025
“Kathy Ridout – Kathy Ridout is the new executive director of Kawartha Lakes Food Source. Having spent 15 years developing and fundraising in the non-profit and public sector, Ridout moved to Fenelon Falls in 2022 and jumped at the chance to work with Food Source. Last year, its member food banks were visited 16,569 times, serving 2,744 unique individuals—an increase of 245 individuals over 2023. The organization reports increased use coupled with less donations –part of a broader trend the new ED is well aware of. Food Source currently works with nine different food banks across the area, and under Ridout’s leadership, the organization is set to strengthen its impact and reach even more individuals, all the while lobbying for more government action to address the structural issues of hunger.”
“THE ORGANIZATION REPORTS INCREASED USE COUPLED WITH LESS DONATIONS – PART OF A BROADER TREND THE NEW ED IS WELL AWARE OF.”
Disgraceful!!!!!!
Last Christmas, I made a cash donation to an organization supporting the needy. The agency representative and I both counted out the cash twice and each time the total was $100 less than I had counted out before leaving the bank. I thought I had lost the money leaving the bank and the Agency provided a receipt for the amount we counted. Two weeks later, I got a receipt from the organization for the additional $100 along with a note saying the bills were so tightly stuck together that only the counting machine detected the additional bill. Times like these can cause us to forget that the vast majority of people involved in non profits are dedicated to its cause.
If convicted she will not see jail time. If convicted and forced to provide restitution there are no mechanisms in place to legally force her to pay it. It will be up to the organization to recover the funds since the courts do nothing to enforce restitution orders. I’ve been involved in investigations of fraud on non-profits and I’ve worked with police and courts on them. It’s low on the priority levels of police and courts. It’s a damn shame that this kind of thing continues to happen. The non-profits have to take some accountability as well. Too many organizations don’t like to spend time and resources on internal controls and reporting (until the you-know-what hits the fan). Many times instituted controls become a “pain” and history repeats itself. Too many boards of directors are more interested in the organization’s activities rather than being overly concerned with governance and oversight. Too bad!
What is your advice for when money comes in, on the banking and accounting end and whoever is handling it. How often should these organizations and individuals involved be reporting? And whatever other advice you can give. Thank you.
I am furious. We give monthly to the Food Source and have done so for many years. To see over $77,000 in unauthorized transactions is shocking.
What type of governance did the board have? I say this is incompetence on the part of the Board of Directors.
Can someone explain to me if the person is found guilty why they wouldn’t have to pay back ALL the money. Plus there should be a place where her name is published for all of Ontario non-profit organizations can view prior to hiring someone else like this. It cant be that hard to do!