Shawn’s Commitment: Delivering Hope Today and Tomorrow

Shawn Larocque has always called Ottawa home. Raised in the rural east-end community of Hammond, he grew up with a clear understanding that supporting your neighbours is more than a value, it’s a responsibility and something you act on. That belief has stayed with him and continues to guide his work and life. 

In 2018, after a career as a bus driver with OC Transpo, Shawn made the decision to join the Ottawa Food Bank. He was looking for a way to use his skills in a role that directly helped people, and the opportunity to contribute to an organization focused on community care felt like the right fit. He began as a driver, delivering food to the Ottawa Food Bank network of member agencies across the city, and also took on responsibilities in the Ottawa Food Bank warehouse, becoming part of the team that keeps food moving to where it’s needed most. 

Through his role, Shawn has seen firsthand the impact of that work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many people stayed home, he continued on the front lines. He saw long lines of people waiting outside in the winter for food support, many of them facing this reality for the first time. The experience stayed with him. It reinforced just how significant and ongoing the need for food support is in our community. 

At the same time, he saw the difference the Ottawa Food Bank was making. For people who had lost jobs or were struggling to get by, it meant access to food and a sense of stability during an uncertain time. That impact is something Shawn continues to witness every day, and it’s what makes his role so meaningful. 

Over the years, he has also seen the organization grow and adapt to meet increasing demand. From more efficient operations to the development of a new warehouse, Shawn has had a front-row seat to how the Ottawa Food Bank continues to evolve in order to better serve its network of agencies. 

What makes Shawn’s story especially powerful is that his commitment to the mission doesn’t end with his workday. As someone who sees the impact of the Ottawa Food Bank up close, he has chosen to support its future in a deeply personal way. Together with his wife, Shawn has made a legacy gift to the Ottawa Food Bank, as well as to the Ottawa Humane Society, reflecting the causes that matter most to them. 

This decision was shaped not only by his values, but also by personal experience. After the sudden loss of a loved one, Shawn was reminded of how important it is to act now and make intentional choices about the future. 

As an Ottawa Food Bank employee, Shawn’s decision to leave a legacy gift is a meaningful reflection of his belief in the organization’s work. It speaks to a deep sense of purpose and a genuine connection to the mission. He isn’t only helping deliver food today, he is helping ensure that support will be there for others in the years to come.