Jennifer Ellard works at the food bank on Friday. (Photo courtesy of Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Proud to be part of food bank

Northern Lights recipient Jennifer Ellard overwhelmed by provincial honour

Jun 21, 2020 | 10:01 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Days later, Jennifer Ellard was still emotional over being honoured by the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program.

“It’s been pretty overwhelming and just being nominated was fantastic and maybe the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me but the award is over and above,” Ellard said Friday.

Ellard began volunteering at the Medicine Hat & District Food Bank in December through her brokerage, Royal LePage. Most of the food bank’s volunteers are seniors, so when COVID-19 hit a volunteer shortage created problems just as the food bank use was rising.

Ellard knew what she had to do.

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“I had to step in,” she said. “I couldn’t let the people or the whole idea behind the food bank go to waste. I had to step in.”

Since then Ellard, who only moved to Medicine Hat from the Greater Toronto Area in the fall, has volunteered five days a week as part of the drive-thru hamper service team.

Food bank executive director Celina Symmonds said everyone is grateful to have Ellard on board.

“Jenn comes in every day with a really happy, ready-to-work attitude and we’re so grateful for the fact that she stepped up when we were losing so many volunteers,” she said. “We’re so grateful that people were willing to come and put their own lives at risk to support other families making sure they get food.”

Ellard may have won the honour, but says she’s just one member of a great team.

She mentioned Kaitlyn an 18 year-old college student who has really come to life during her time at the food bank.

“When we first started we could never have a conversation with her. She’s really shy and kept to herself. She’s really stepped up and she’s just become this flourishing person now.”

Then there’s Mark one of the commanders from the British division on the base, Ellard said. With no troops coming over he had a void to fill.

“He has come in every day to help us with the handouts as well,” she said. “He has this energy that is just dynamic.”

Jose, a college student from Mexico has also been at the food bank every day to help.

On top of those people, Ellard also mentioned teachers’ aides, bus drivers and missionaries as groups of people who have jumped in to help.

“It’s just so overwhelming how much goodness has come out,” she said.

Ellard was nominated for the Northern Lights honour by food bank team member Melissa Mullis.