Pelham Cares first in food bank in Niagara to achieve Food Banks Canada’s Standard of Excellence program.
The program was created by the national organization to provide a framework for food banks to identify opportunities for innovation and performance improvements in the areas of client service and care, food operations, safe food handling and more. Gaining the accreditation is a positive move for the agency, said its board chair, Greg Lewis.
“There are many benefits in achieving this certification, which is very much operational in nature,” Lewis said. “The most important is we are providing a better client experience.”
Executive Director Gayle Sears, meanwhile, called the certification “a great achievement” for the agency and the people on the front lines who do the work.
“Achieving this accreditation has made us a stronger, more efficient organization, better able to meet the growing demand for our services,” she said.
Lewis, meanwhile, said the certification will benefit Pelham Cares by giving the agency enhanced trust and credibility within the community that will ultimately help the organization in many ways, including fundraising, attracting employees and volunteers as well as future board members.
“There is an enhanced sense of pride in the organization,” he said.
Food Banks Canada works in collaboration with a network of 4,750 food banks and community agencies across Canada to ensure access to safe and nutritious food for anyone who needs it.
The Standards of Excellence program was launched last January and provides a framework for food banks to identify opportunities for innovation and performance improvements in the areas of client service and care, food operations, safe food handling and more. The standards also reflect a commitment to enhancing capabilities to relieve hunger now and in the future.
Karen Alebon, manager of national programs and standards for Food Banks Canada, said the certification of Pelham Cares is “a testament to their hard work, commitment, and dedication to providing the highest quality of service to clients.”
Alebon confirmed that Pelham Cares was the first – and so far only – food bank in Niagara to be certified but they will not be the last.
“Pelham Cares has shown leadership in being one of the early adopters of the standards and we can confirm that there are several other food banks in the Niagara region that are working towards the accreditation,” Alebon said.
Other Niagara food banks in the accreditation process include Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, Project SHARE in Niagara Falls and Village of Hope in Lincoln. The Salvation Army food bank in Fort Erie is beginning the accreditation process in January.
Back at Pelham Cares, the agency’s holiday food drive takes place Dec. 6-8 at the Meridian Community Centre. Residents are being encouraged to drop off donations of non-perishable food items or cash.
The agency will also be providing Christmas hampers to clients. Hampers will include either a turkey or ham plus trimmings such as vegetables for Christmas dinner. Hampers will also include age-appropriate gifts for children and youth ages 18 and under.
To learn more about Pelham Cares and its services, visit pelhamcares.org or call 905-892-5300.
