Article – Gleaners Foodbank’s tireless efforts to combat hunger in Belleville and across the Quinte region received provincial recognition last week. The organization took home the prestigious Leadership Excellence Award at Feed Ontario’s annual conference in Toronto.
I visited their warehouse yesterday, where the award now sits proudly on Executive Director Suzanne Quinlan’s desk. “This belongs to everyone who makes our work possible,” she told me, gesturing toward volunteers sorting donations in the background. “From our staff to our donors to the people we serve – this recognition reflects their collective commitment.”
The award acknowledges Gleaners’ innovative response to what Statistics Canada reports as a 24% increase in food bank usage across Ontario since 2023. Their “Community Nutrition Network” initiative connected local farmers with food banks, reducing food waste while increasing access to fresh produce for vulnerable families.
“What makes Gleaners stand out is their ability to build partnerships that strengthen the entire regional food security system,” said Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director of Feed Ontario, during the award presentation. “They’ve demonstrated that rural and small-city food banks can develop solutions just as innovative as their urban counterparts.”
The numbers tell a compelling story. Last year, Gleaners served over 8,300 people monthly across Belleville, Quinte West, and surrounding communities. Their mobile pantry program, launched in 2024, reached an additional 450 seniors and people with disabilities who struggle with transportation barriers.
Mayor Neil Ellis attended the ceremony and praised the organization’s impact. “Gleaners doesn’t just feed our community – they build dignity and hope. This award confirms what we’ve long known locally: their approach works.”
Behind the scenes, the award represents years of adaptation. When I first covered Gleaners’ work in 2022, they were grappling with pandemic-related challenges and inflation. Their warehouse shelves often looked alarmingly bare. Today, through creative community partnerships, they’ve built more sustainable supply chains.
“We realized we needed to move beyond the traditional food bank model,” explained Operations Manager Tyler Macdonald. “Now we’re focused on addressing root causes of food insecurity while meeting immediate needs.”
That shift included launching cooking classes, budget counseling, and employment connections for clients. They’ve also advocated for policy changes at municipal and provincial levels to address affordable housing shortages – a primary driver of food insecurity.
Recent data from the Ontario Association of Food Banks shows Quinte region residents face higher-than-average housing cost burdens, with many spending over 50% of income on shelter. This economic pressure makes Gleaners’ holistic approach particularly relevant.
The award came with a $10,000 grant, which Quinlan says will fund their children’s weekend backpack program. This initiative provides kid-friendly, nutritious food for students who might otherwise go hungry when school meal programs aren’t available.
Local donor support remains crucial despite the recognition. Jennifer Taylor, who coordinates corporate partnerships, noted that summer months typically bring donation declines while family need increases when school nutrition programs pause.
“Awards are wonderful recognition, but they don’t stock our shelves,” Taylor said. “We’re hoping this visibility reminds the community that hunger doesn’t take vacations.”
Gleaners’ achievement reflects broader trends in how food banks are evolving. The Ontario government recently announced $25 million in additional funding for food security initiatives, emphasizing programs that build self-sufficiency alongside emergency food assistance.
Meanwhile, on the ground at Gleaners, volunteers like retired teacher Margaret Wong continue the daily work that earned the award. “I see former students coming in for help now – people who never thought they’d need a food bank,” she told me while organizing donations. “That’s why this matters so much.”
The Leadership Excellence Award signals provincial recognition of what many in Belleville have witnessed firsthand: fighting hunger effectively requires both immediate compassion and systemic thinking. As summer approaches with its unique challenges, Gleaners’ approach offers a model for food banks across smaller Ontario communities facing similar hurdles.
Those interested in supporting Gleaners’ award-winning work can find donation information on their website or visit their monthly community awareness events, which resume next week at the Quinte Mall.
