Helping the hungry
Food bank in Montague in desperate need of volunteers to take over facility
A Montague couple that has helped those in need for nearly two decades is calling on volunteers to step up and fill their shoes.
Lawrence and Marlene Power, who have been the face of the Southern Kings and Queens Food Bank in Lower Montague since 2000, are retiring from their posts and moving to Truro at the end of the month to be closer to family.
Marlene Power said she and her husband have worked hard to make the food bank what it is today and are hoping it is left in good hands.
The workload can be that of a full-time job, but because the positions are voluntary, Power said she is worried about what might happen if no one comes forward.
“We’re kind of scared, it bothers us. But, you know, you can’t force people to do it,” she told the Guardian in a phone interview Thursday.
“It’s time for somebody else to take over. It has to be somebody that’s very dedicated.”
The couple became involved with the food bank when they moved to the Island from Kitchener, Ont.
“When we moved here, we had both just retired, and after we got all settled in I wanted to volunteer at something.”
She and her husband jumped at the opportunity to help, and over the years they always made sure to treat those who came to the facility with respect.
“We tried to keep the place very clean, very friendly and make clients feel very comfortable,” she said.
“You know, just kind of joke with them and have fun, because those people, they have enough problems. They don’t need to come and be ashamed to be there, so we like to make them feel at ease.”
One thing the Powers are most pleased with from their time at the food bank is the lunch program they started.