Vision
A community where no one is hungry.
Mission
The Barrie Food Bank provides food relief at no cost to individuals and families in our community who are in need, and supports them on their journey towards well-being.
Our primary service is the provision of food to families and individuals to prevent them from going hungry. In addition to providing food for those in need, a key part of our program delivery is to encourage self sufficiency, as well as personal and family well-being. A Resource Centre of brochures and literature is available for our clients to use referring them to other knowledgeable services and agencies.
Our Principles
We recognize that those who come to us for food assistance may also have other needs including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.
We encourage individuals and families to be hopeful, assisting with steps that they may take to meet their expressed needs.
We comfort, encourage, and challenge individuals and families to do all they can to help themselves.
We collaborate with community organizations to provide relevant resources to our clients.
We show compassion and respect for the dignity of those who come to us for assistance.
Our Staff
Executive Director
Karen joined our team in September 2023 following a 30 year career in the grocery & consumer packaged industry. Starting as a volunteer, Karen knew this was the type of organization she wanted to be involved with. Now serving alongside our wonderful and dedicated volunteers and community supporters, Karen gets energized knowing that food will soon be in the hands of our neighbours in need.
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Benjamin Zhu
Manager, Finance & Administration
Benjamin joined our team in July 2024. He is responsible for the accounting and finances of the organization, as well as some of the day-to-day administration. Benjamin has a history working with nonprofits as well as commercial banking experience. He enjoys passionately helping others and keeping costs low to serve as many clients as possible.
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Hunter Markle
Manager, Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Hunter joined our team in September 2024. She is responsible for working with the generous donors and community partners who support Barrie Food Bank. Some of her day-to-day tasks include supporting Food Drive organizers and organizing fundraising events and initiatives. Hunter comes from the non-profit world, with several years of experience, and has lived and worked within Simcoe County for most of her life. Hunter has a passion for people and community – believing that everyone has the ability to be a changemaker. Outside of work, Hunter enjoys cooking, baking and volunteering with Big Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe.
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Michelle Runge
Manager, Client and Volunteer Experience
Michelle joined our team in January 2022. She is responsible for volunteer recruitment, onboarding, training and scheduling. Client service and experience, community outreach programs and collaborative partnerships. Michelle has a long history working in non-profits, customer service and tackling community barriers. She has a passion working directly with community members, and enjoys an inclusive and wholehearted collaboration.
michellerunge@barriefoodbank.org
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Roberta Lowe
Front Desk Administrator and Intake Lead
Roberta joined the food bank team in February 2020. Roberta is the first response to our community members. She is responsible for deliveries and agency relations and Team Lead for client Intake. Roberta has a passion for serving people and thoroughly enjoys being part of this team.
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James Ward
Operations Manager
James joined our team as Operations Manager in the fall of 2021. He is responsible for the overall operations of the warehouse, food purchasing, and food recovery from grocery stores, wholesalers, and farms. He is also responsible for the managing volunteer support in food collection, sorting and stocking. He has extensive experience in the food service sector. Born and raised in Barrie, James shares his love of people through food. Food is Love!
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Paul Monahan
Warehouse Coordinator
Paul a veteran of our Canadian Armed Forces, joined our team in Fall of 2019. He is responsible for the organization of all food incoming including perishable and non-perishable. He oversees sorting, bagging and inventory. Paul manages all volunteer roles within the warehouse, delegating tasks in response to the need or demands each day. Paul, a true leader, who sets an example and creates an environment enjoyable for all working along side him.
John Del Monaco
Food Collection Representative
John joined the Food Bank as a volunteer in 2020 and then joined the team in 2022. John is responsible for the morning food pickups from grocery stores, churches, schools and businesses. He has a deep passion for serving and helping those who are poor, oppressed and those who have found themselves on the fringes of society, both here in our community and around the world. Outside of work, John enjoys exercising, serving at a local church and spending lots of time with family and friends.
William Gibbons
Warehouse Coordinator
Will is a man of many talents and at least one questionable tattoo. When he’s not expertly coordinating our warehouse operations, he’s out shredding the slopes as a professional snowboarder, rumored to have once raced a moose downhill—and won. Will holds the record for fastest time organizing canned goods while wearing snowboard boots, a feat that requires both balance and bravery. He’s also known for his unique ability to juggle frozen turkeys, though we try to limit his practice sessions to off-service hours. With a coffee in one hand and a clipboard in the other, Will keeps the warehouse running smoothly while dreaming of building a halfpipe out of cardboard boxes.
Our Board of Directors
Chair
Ab Falconi
Ab Falconi has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2021. Ab, a retired Director of Education, supported students and staff for 32 years in York and Simcoe Muskoka. During that time Ab had carriage over the Food for Life portfolio which supported student nutrition programs across Simcoe, Muskoka, and Parry Sound. With expertise in governance, policy development, and finance, Ab seeks to assist the Board in solidifying their frameworks to effectively and efficiently support those in our community who need support and to assist in diminishing food insecurity in Barrie.
Vice Chair
Dan Brubacher
Dan currently works at Connexus Church in the role of Executive Director of Operations & Finance. Connexus loves to support the Barrie Food Bank and get behind other efforts to strengthen the community. Dan has served as a pastor in various local churches since 1999, helping to provide strategic leadership and operational effectiveness. He lives in Barrie with his wife, Carla, and four daughters, and considers it an honour to contribute his skills toward the vision of “a community where no one is hungry.”
Secretary
George Hawtin
George Hawtin joined the board of the Barrie Food Bank in early 2023. George serves as Executive Director and Law Librarian of the Simcoe County Law Association, and is also a Certified Human Resources Professional who has studied board governance at the doctoral level. Living with cerebral palsy, George has experienced the poverty and food insecurity that too often accompany life with a disability, and he’s passionate about making sure everyone in our community can access food.
Treasurer
AJ Pieprzak
As an Investment Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, A.J. brings a wealth of financial expertise to the Barrie Food Bank, having joined the board as Treasurer in June 2022. Outside of his professional endeavors, A.J. finds great fulfillment in being able to give back to his community in a meaningful way, ensuring that those in need have access to essential support and resources. Alan’s dedication to making a positive impact is truly commendable, and we’re grateful to have him as part of our team at the Barrie Food Bank.
Directors
Julie Hawrishok
With extensive experience in marketing, communications and non-profit leadership, Julie joins the Board with a strong commitment to community well-being. Throughout her career, Julie has successfully implemented numerous initiatives to raise funds and awareness for important causes, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented groups. Julie is eager to leverage her skills and experience to support the Food Bank’s mission, and to collaborate with fellow board members, staff and stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the Barrie community. Julie is committed to ensuring the organization’s impact reaches those who need it most.
Lori Martin
A firm belief that access to food is essential for a healthy society, Lori Martin joined the board in 2020 to make a difference in her community. In her role as editor at the Barrie Advance, Lori had been interacting with the food bank to provide editorial and marketing support for many years. As well as seeing first-hand the tremendous impact the food bank has on those it serves, the role of director offers an opportunity to help make decisions today that will positively impact the lives of Barrie residents for years to come. Volunteering at the food bank is more rewarding than she ever imagined.
Phae Eckhart
Shakir Barmare
As the passionate and experienced Founder & Managing Director of Beyond Giving, Shakir is committed to fostering unity and driving positive community engagement. With a proven track record in raising significant funds for esteemed charities, including the Women & Children Shelter of Barrie, Seasons Centre for Grieving Children, Youth Haven, Rainbows Canada, Gilda’s Club, and COPE Service Dogs, Shakir brings dedicated leadership and collaborative skills to organizations focused on community development.
Mike Gibbons
Mike’s journey with The Barrie Food Bank began 12 years ago when he walked through the doors and volunteered for the Thursday morning restocking shift. Since that day Mike has become a passionate advocate of the vision of The Barrie Food Bank, to live in “a community where no one is hungry.”
During the past 12 years Mike has held the position of Board member and was Chair of the Board of Directors for 6 years. After a hiatus of 2 years Mike is once again joining the Board. Mike brings his leadership talents in the areas of sales and marketing and a passion for community service. He is currently working in the pharmaceutical sector for a major Canadian distributor.
Mike continues to volunteer on Thursdays on the afternoon shift working the check out area interacting with our clients.