Thank you to all of our customers for participating in the Bigger Than Business campaign last month.

The stories you shared about the people in your community were extremely uplifting. Because we work so hard to be the People You Can Count On, it is encouraging to us to know that others are doing the same.

Your story submissions helped to raise more than $15,000 for Feeding America and Food Bank Canada, both nations leading domestic hunger-relief charities. Thanks to customers like you these funds will go towards fighting hunger in our communities across the United States and Canada.

While it was difficult to choose just one story from the US and one story from Canada as the most compelling, we selected Amy Gonczeruk’s submission from the US and Kari Smith’s submission from Canada.

Amy works for Sevillano Links Golf Course in Coring California, and her recognition of Kate Grissom was especially moving. Kate is a founding member of NEXT Tehama, a key member of Expect More Tehama, an instrumental player in Project Rebound as well an activist in many other community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and futures of the Tehama community. Amy’s winning submission earned her local food bank an additional $2,500.

Kari works for Kamloops Food Bank, in Kamloops, BC and her recognition of Dale Bass was especially moving. Dale is a reporter for ‘Kamloops This Week’ and gives a voice to the many non-profit agencies by bringing awareness to issues which others shy away from. Kari’s winning submission earned her local food bank an additional $2,500.

On behalf of everyone at AmeriPride and Canadian Linen and Uniform Service, I would like to thank Kate Grissom at Rolling Hills Casio, and Dale Bass from Kamloops This Week for their tremendous impact to their community.

Thank you for helping us make a difference in our local communities.

I would like to recognize Mental Health Community Case Managers.

I would like to recognize Mental Health Community Case Managers. Often, they are the front-line workers who communicate with a lot of the disenfranchised persons who live in our communities. They are trained to assess a clients' needs and to work tirelessly to ensure those needs are met. They are very often 'unsung heroes'. The most satisfying part of their job is a "Thank You" from a client who has had their needs met and whose lives have been made more comfortable because of help from their Case Managers.
- Donna Tizzard
St. John's, NL

Volunteers Don & Lil Grabinsky are our community heroes having worked countless hours with their church to head up and help out local Food Banks & Mea

Volunteers Don & Lil Grabinsky are our community heroes having worked countless hours with their church to head up and help out local Food Banks & Meal Centre initiatives.

The Edmonton Bissell Centre, a community help centre, has a weekly Sunday free community meal for 250-300 people. Don and his church had for a near decade, annually committed to putting on one of these Sunday meals. That includes organizing, supplying the food & serving. Recently Don and his church with only a couple of days notice was asked in a moment of desperation if they could go beyond that annual call and help for the upcoming Sunday that was missing for that day a support team. Don quickly organized and aided in making the day another successful meal for those in need.

In addition to that Don and Lil with other church members help out a local community “Food Bank & Bread Run” by getting up early on Saturday mornings to pickup from Grocery store food and bread suppliers to help out later in the morning families that are in need.

Many thanks to Don and Lil and his church team for giving the most valuable gift of “time” to those in need in our community.
- Rick Medlock
Edmonton, AB

For their courage and dedication we wish to recognize all Volunteer Fire Departments,

For their courage and dedication we wish to recognize all Volunteer Fire Departments, and in particular the 60 member force of North Perth who provide a 5 minute average response time in our rural community and area

- Allan Johnston Limited
North Perth, ON

I am taking this time to thank my boss Janice K. Seargent

I am taking this time to thank my boss Janice K. Seargent, OTR/L of 20 plus years for just being her. She has not only been my boss but my best friend as well as a sister image. We have daughters about the same age and have been through many personal endeavors as well as business trials. She never has gotten upset with happenings here at the office and her outlook is there isn't anything that doesn't have a solution. Thank you boss, "I love you". Gloria

- Idaho Falls, ID

I believe that Crystal Kasnoff with M&I bank here in Tucson deserves to be recognized for all she does for non profits!

I believe that Crystal Kasnoff with M&I bank here in Tucson deserves to be recognized for all she does for non profits! She supports anything Diabetes, ALS, All local law enforcement and has single handedly raised more than $20K for her causes! Go Crystal!!

- Sean Moloney, Texas Roadhouse
Tucson, AX

Volunteers like Harry make it possible for not-for-profit agencies the flourish.

Harry Wright - Kamloops BC

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Kamloops Food Bank. In 2009, almost 15,000 volunteer hours were recorded. Volunteers play an intricate part of ensuring the operation runs efficiently and cost effectively.Without the dedication of our volunteers, Kamloops Food Bank would cease to exist.

Harry Wright has been volunteering his time five days a week to the Kamloops Food Bank for the last nine years. A retired nurse, Harry works harder then most people half his age. He takes great pride in the warehouse and his job in the Food Bank. Harry oversees the sorting of the produce collected through our FoodShare program as well as directing volunteers in our breakdown room.

Over the years, Harry has become a permanent fixture at the Food Bank. He is quick to say good morning and share with you his latest joke. Harry always has a sparkle in his eye and is truly a wonderful representation of a volunteer that is a benefit to this community as well as to the Kamloops Food Bank.

Through Harry's dedication, positive attitude and strong work ethics, many have benefitted from knowing Harry and working along side him. Even now, when Harry is at home recovering from knee surgery, he is interested in how things are going and counting the days until the Doctor allows him to drive so that he can come in and help out.

Volunteers like Harry make it possible for not-for-profit agencies the flourish.

Kari Smith
Event & Fundraising Coordinator
Kamloops Food Bank