Our Staff
Sharon Palmer
Executive Director
Sharon joined the Barrie Food Bank in 2021 as Executive Director responsible for the overall management and leadership of the organization. She is passionate about providing food support to those in need in our community. Her goal at the food bank is to build a strong team of staff, volunteers, and donors to provide food support so that no one in our community goes hungry.
sharon@barriefoodbank.org
705 725 1818 ext 4
Roberta Lowe
Front Desk Receptionist
Roberta joined the food bank team in February 2020. Robert is the first response to our community members. She is responsible 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.
Darren Vaillencourt
Manager, Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Darren joined the Barrie Food Bank team in March of 2022, and as Manager Fundraising and Donor
Engagement, is working to raise awareness of Barrie Food Bank’s mission to help create a community
where no one is hungry. He is responsible building and stewarding relationships with individuals and
businesses, as well as community groups, to grow food and monetary contributions, and to share the
positive impact which the generosity of the Barrie community has on those facing food insecurity.
Marie Ali
Administrative Assistant
Marie has been a member of the food bank team since April 2004, as our Administrative Assistant, Marie diligently handles the administrative details of coordinating the food drive mailings, handling financial donations, generating tax receipts, correspondence and bookkeeping. Marie is always willing to serve our volunteers, donors and the people who use our services.
John Del Monaco
Fulfillment Specialists
John joined the Food Bank as a volunteer in 2020 and became the “Food Collection Representative” in 2022. He 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, he enjoys exercising, attending, and serving at a local church and spending lots of time with both family and friends.
Michelle Runge
Community Relations Manager
Michelle joined our team in January 2022. She is responsible for volunteer recruitment and onboarding, client intake and experience, community relations and events,. 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
ext. 6
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!
ext. 3
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.