Article By: Kevin Brown
Stella began with the Ottawa Food Bank in September 2024. She remembers fondly that her first volunteer shift was helping collect food and cash donations at the first Ottawa Senators home game of the 2024-2025 NHL hockey season. Like other Administration Support Volunteers, Stella’s weekly volunteer shift is always busy with a variety of tasks.
“I came to Canada in 2014 as an international student and after graduating I went to work immediately in online marketing. Then in late 2023 I lost my job and took time in 2024 to travel and consider my next work options. I went to Alberta twice to visit family and friends and then decided to consider volunteering to broaden my work experience and learn new skills.”
“Two things motivated me. First, I remember vividly my mother taking my siblings and I a couple of times each year to an orphanage in our town in Nigeria to give toys and books we weren’t using to the kids. I remember how excited they were to see us and be given things we no longer needed. My mother used to celebrate her birthday each year by visiting the orphanage, so I was taught at an early age the value of giving back to one’s community.”
“Second, I’m a lifelong Christian and value taking time to give back to the community and believe if someone needs help then others should provide support. I bring my beliefs and my values with me when I volunteer at the Ottawa Food Bank.”
“I keep coming back because of the Food Bank people. Cindy Warren, the Manager of Administration and IT, is an amazing leader who cares about her work and her team. She inspires us to set the bar high and help those who need our help. I hope to secure another job soon, but I will always make time to volunteer with the Ottawa Food Bank.”
About Kevin Brown
Kevin has joined Ottawa Food Bank’s volunteers, in semi-retirement, as a seasoned Public Relations and Communications professional. He sought a flexible volunteer role with the Ottawa Food Bank and was excited to take on the role of capturing volunteer stories to have as assets to share and celebrate volunteering, effectively enhancing the Ottawa Food Bank’s capacity for recognition.
Beyond this effort, Kevin has also become an active and engaged Special Events volunteer who has been a great personality and presence at events in the community.
Read more volunteer stories at ottawafoodbank.ca/volunteer.
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