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2017 AGM Summary

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]January 30 was the Ottawa Food Bank’s Annual General Meeting attended by supporters, volunteers, staff, and member agency partners. Thank you to all who were present.

The meeting began with Ottawa Food Bank’s Chair of the Board, David K. Law, welcoming everyone and taking a moment to reflect on the horrific acts that have taken place in Quebec City.

“Michael [Maidment, Executive Director, Ottawa Food Bank] and I agree that we would be remiss to begin this meeting without taking some time to acknowledge what has happened in Quebec City,” said Law. “These have been some hard days and we’ve seen some terrible cruelty…it is easy to lose faith in people at a time like this – but now is when we need to band together. As I look out across this room, I see the good and it helps me keep my faith. I am grateful to know all of you.”

Sarah Tremblay, Treasure of the Ottawa Food Bank’s Board of Directors, went over the financials with attendees, and was pleased to announce that the Ottawa Food Bank ended the 2015-2016 fiscal year with a surplus. This surplus will go back into programs as well as add to the Ottawa Food Bank’s reserve. The Ottawa Food Bank is planning to build a six-month back-up reserve should there be a time when donations are not sufficient enough to keep up with core operations. The goal is to always ensure the Ottawa Food Bank’s member agencies, and their clients, do not suffer if donations are low. For a full look at the Ottawa Food Bank financials, please refer the Audited Finance Statements.

Two Board members stood for re-election, and five new members were unanimously voted in. Congratulations on our re-election, Barbara Carroll and Sarah Tremblay. Welcome to the Ottawa Food Bank’s Board of Directors to Erin Crowe, Ivan Gedz, Sylvie Manser, Marian McMahon, and Nicole Perras.

With the coming of new members means we unfortunately have to say goodbye to some who are moving on. Thank you very much to Abraham Feinstein, Sheila Fraser, Dr. Isra Levy, Michael Adams, Gwen Bouchard, and Penny Reedie for your dedication and time.

This year’s Keynote Address was the Ottawa Food Bank’s Executive Director, Michael Maidment. With having just gone through an extensive community consultation, the AGM was an ideal time to share the findings.

“I see the solution to hunger in three pillars. Food banking BETTER, systemic changes needed to reduce poverty, and you – our donors, volunteers, and member agency partners,” said Maidment.

Maidment carried on to speak about the findings of the community consultations, which included member agencies, partners, donors, volunteers, various members of the community, staff, and clients and were conducted through group sessions, one on one meetings, on-line surveys, and in-person surveys.

“You touched on a number of things that we’re already doing as an organization as well as some that you feel we could improve upon,” said Maidment. “From the consultations, the themes of what is important to you, and what you feel our role should be, are: improve access to healthy food, build capacity in Ottawa’s food system, educate about food insecurity, and participate in advocacy for systems change.”

Thank you to all who attended the Annual General Meeting, and thank you to the Ottawa Food Bank’s member agencies, volunteers, donors, and supporters for another successful year.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”See the Ottawa Food Bank’s 2015-2016 Year in Review” color=”primary” size=”lg” align=”center” i_align=”right” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-pie-chart” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ottawafoodbank.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F01%2FFB-Year-In-Review-2015-2016-Web.pdf||target:%20_blank|” button_block=”true” add_icon=”true”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1485880189029-f142216a-42c3-4″ include=”16347,16348,16349,16350,16351″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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