Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission thanks community at AGM

Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission president Tim McAllister blows out the candles on his birthday cake (above) while he presented awards to Jill Kanwischer (absent, award held by Kim Curtis) and Inez Fox (below).

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission held its annual general meeting (AGM) last week and thanked the community and its own volunteers as part of it.

The mission’s AGM was held last Thursday evening (Sept. 17) and president Tim McAllister went over the past year and gave a look ahead at what is to come. He thanked their volunteers, donors and sponsors as well as the community as a whole for helping the Mission.

“The Mission has been a part of this community for more than 30 years,” said McAllister. “For me, the Mission has always been about one thing – people helping people.”

McAllister added they treat people that come in with dignity.

“When someone walks through our doors, we don’t ask them why they need help. We help them. We give them a meal, we give them food, we listen and we treat them with respect,” he said. “Over the years, I have seen many people come through our doors. I have also seen many volunteers come through our doors. Some stay for a few weeks, and some stay for many years, but every one of them has made a difference. That’s what makes the Mission so special.”

McAllister, who received a cake and well wishes as Sept. 17 was his birthday, added he wants to continue his volunteer work at the Mission.

“I am 72-years-old now and people sometimes ask me when I’m going to slow down,” said McAllister. “The truth is, I don’t feel my work here is finished. There is still work to do, there are still people who need our help and I still want to be part of it.”

The Mission is more than one person and cannot depend on only one person, he added.

“It needs people who are willing to step forward, people who are willing to learn and people who are willing to take on a little more responsibility,” he said. “One day, those people will be the ones who lead the Mission into the future.”

McAllister voiced his desire to keep building the mission together.

“I don’t want people to look at the Mission and think ‘someone else will do it’,” he said. “I want people to think ‘what can I do?’ Maybe you can volunteer once a week. Maybe you can help with an event. Maybe you can take on a job that needs to be done. Maybe you organize your own fundraiser. Every one of those things helps build the future of the Mission.”

The Mission president added he is proud of what the team of volunteers have accomplished but said he was even more proud of the volunteers themselves as they make it happen every day. He was also proud of the donors, community partners and everyone who believes that no one in the community should go without food.

“I hope that when I am no longer able to do this job, there will be many people standing behind me who are ready to carry it on,” said McAllister. “Until that day comes, I will keep doing what I can because there is still work to do and there are still people who need us. Thank you for believing in the Mission and thank you for helping us continue to live by three simple words – people helping people.”

As has become tradition at the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, two volunteers were recognized for their efforts. Certificates of appreciation went to volunteers Jill Kanwischer and Inez Fox for their work.

“This is the most wonderful institution in the whole town,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “Without the Mission and the food bank, a lot of people would go hungry. If anyone is doing God’s work, it’s these people at the Mission.”

Prue thanked all involved with the Mission, stating it is “full of love.”

“I love this place with all my heart.”

McAllister, John Drop, Andrew Bradie, Lana Talbot, Tammy Pasceri and Shannon Dobson each have one year left on their board terms. Starting new two-year terms are Kim Curtis, Jim Berry, Kanwischer, Anne Fox, Zania Brockett and Jim Ferrar.

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission is located at 298 Victoria St. S. For more information, call 519-736-9140 or visit www.aburgmission.ca.  

Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission thanks community at AGM

By Ron Giofu