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Pantry Volunteers of the Year
Albany County – Donna Lasher, Venture Churches food Pantry
Rensselaer County – Sharon Derby, Brunswick Cares Community Food Pantry
Saratoga County – Kate Van Buren, LifeWorks Community Action Food Pantry
Schenectady County – Aaricka Rayburn, Capital Church Food Pantry
The Food Pantries for the Capital District Volunteer – The Guest Survey Team, Cynthia Bott, Sara Toledano, Angela Warner, Clare Carroll and Pat Whyte
Outstanding Community Partner Award
Hon. Neil Breslin
Dinnie Shanley Award
Kizzy Williams
Sister Mary Coons Award
Harris Oberlander
PHOTO GALLERY
PANTRY VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
ALBANY COUNTY – DONNA LASHER – VENTURE CHURCHES FOOD PANTRY
Donna has been volunteering 10 hours a week for over 20 years. Her dedication to leadership and teamwork has Donna going above and beyond in helping those in need. Her efforts have built strong relationships with staff as well as guests. Donna’s hard work and compassionate nature have a profound impact on the pantry and the people they serve. She is described as selfless, hardworking and humble.
RENSSELAER COUNTY – SHARON DERBY – BRUNSWICK CARES COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Dedicated, resourceful, innovative and selfless are just some of the words that come to mind when describing Sharon. Volunteering more than 10 hours a week for 15 years, Sharon ensures there is a full supply of food. She initiated the Meal of the Month program as a way to rotate stock ad take advantage of ordering opportunities, which 90% of the pantry guests select. Sharon has also established and maintains the Summer Meals for Kids program.
SARATOGA COUNTY – KATE VAN BUREN – LIFEWORKS COMMUNITY ACTION FOOD PANTRY
“Yes, we can do that.” Words that describe Kate in her six years at LifeWorks. Her ability to recruit and organize people is one of the most important factors that has enabled the LifeWorks Food Pantry to provide delivery during the pandemic and beyond. Kate faces every challenge with a positive attitude and a plan. She is a huge benefit to LifeWorks and the community.
SCHENECTADY COUNTY – AARICKA RAYBURN – CAPITAL CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
Irreplaceable, valuable, passionate, dedicated, compassionate…the list goes on. Volunteering more than 25 hours a week for five years, Aaricka stepped up to completely oversee the new pack and pick-up program. She is entirely responsible for the floor plans, buyout and move. Aaricka’s expert ordering skill ensure guests have the appropriate cultural and dietary needs met. She is truly hardworking and tireless.
THE FOOD PANTRIES FOR THE CAPITAL DISTRICT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – THE GUEST SURVEY TEAM – CYNTHIA BOTT, CLARE CARROLL, SARA TOLDEDANO, ANGELA WARNER, PAT WHYTE
This group of dedicated individuals is a variety pack – some have been with us for years, others just joined our family, but no matter the length of time, their commitment to our mission and those we serve is unwavering. This team has dedicated their time to surveying our guests to give voice to those participating in pantry services. The information they gather informs our coalition and our program development. We are honored to have them as volunteers.
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER
HON. NEIL BRESLIN
Working together we can do more than any one of us alone. Community partnerships are the heart of our work as a coalition. They help us to serve the needs of the community and improve access to food assistance for our neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
The Food Pantries for the Capital District is honored to present the Outstanding Community Partner Award to the Hon. Neil Breslin for his continued
DINNIE SHANLEY AWARD
KIZZY WILLIAMS
Dinnie Shanley was a longtime supporter in the fight against food insecurity. She was an employee of The Food Bank serving as the Community Liaison with member pantries and later transitioned into an invaluable volunteer. Dinnie went above and beyond in her mission by supporting, encouraging, and having compassion for pantry coordinators and guests. She understood the importance and need for collaboration and partnered with Equinox starting the “Day After Program” that delivers Thanksgiving leftover meals to area shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries the day afterThanksgiving. Dinnie is greatly missed, but her legacy will continue to impact lives right here in our local community.
The Food Pantries is honored to present the Dinnie Shanley Award to Kizzy Williams for her inspiring community collaboration throughout the Capital District and of course for her continued support as a star chef at our Annual Harvest Evening Chefs’ Challenge!
SISTER MARY COONS AWARD
HARRIS OBERLANDER
Sister Mary Coons, R.S.M. was a Sister of Mercy for 50 years. During this time, she was a teacher, a principal, and a leader throughout the Albany community where she served others selflessly. In her last ten years of service, Sr. Mary Coons went back to where it all began, Blessed Sacrament, in Albany. As Pastoral Associate for Outreach, she organized and grew the food pantry, expanded the Christmas Program for Toys for children in need, and provided love, help and support to countless community members. Sister Mary Coons passed away in 2008, but her legacy lives on.
The Food Pantries for the Capital District is honored to present The Sister Mary Coons Award to Harris Oberlander. Harris embodies this award, having dedicated over 20 years of his professional life to Trinity Alliance, the Capital Region and all those we serve to ensure a better life for our community members, not just today, but for years to come.
