Award winners help families in need

Linda and Robert Downey, of Wellington, received the Volunteer and Information Quinte 2010 Ruth Burrows Volunteer of the Year Award for their outstanding work with the Wellington Food Bank. Congratulating them, from left, are: councillor Lori Slik, nominating Wellington Women’s Institute members Rev. Audrey Brown, Debbie Daynard, Pamela Littlefair, Karen Smith and councillor Peggy Burris.

CHEERS! to Robert and Linda Downey, of Wellington, who were named this year’s winners of the Ruth Burrows Volunteer of the Year Award through Volunteer and Information Quinte. The two founded the Wellington Storehouse food bank.
The Downeys saw a need to help citizens who were unable to drive to other centres. They began by delivering food donations, linens and small appliances to people who are housebound, many of whom are seniors.
Linda Downey draws from experience, noting she was a single mother for eight years.
“Someone brought me a box of food and the despair just lifted. I got hope and was able to go on. Now with the support of the community we can do the same for others.”
Help from the community, Robert notes, is the “greatest gift”.  Robert is a volunteer firefighter.
The couple welcomes students to volunteer at the food bank – especially those needing to complete their community service hours to graduate from high school. Anyone interested in helping the food bank should call Linda at 613-399-1450.