Brian Elcombe (he/him) is our Resource Manager, a part-time role that supports the ordering and rotation of food stocks. Brian has a long history of volunteer contributions to Nourish East End. His experience in supporting the operations of the food bank, a Daily Bread Food Bank partner, and his commitment to respond to all members of our community with respect and dignity bridge the past and present of our program and will be invaluable as Nourish East End continues to evolve.
Cathy Forrest (she/her) is Nourish’s Coordinator of Volunteers. She is a life-long community volunteer focused on literacy and community service. Prior to taking on this part-time role, she was a volunteer leader within the Nourish program as a Volunteer Lead and Produce Table Manager. She has over 25 years of experience managing staff and volunteers and a Certificate in Volunteer Management from Humber College. Cathy offers a dynamic welcome to new volunteers and offers support and care to a diverse team of Nourish volunteers from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.
Profiles of our volunteers appear regularly on our Facebook and Instagram feeds. Here are some recent profiles.
Cindy is a recently retired principal, experienced in the management and administration of programs and volunteers. She has worked to set and review goals, and to align yearly budgets with those goals. Cindy has worked collaboratively with multiple school councils and committees, as well as with East End United committees. She is interested in community service as part of East End United’s mission. Cindy represents East End United members/adherents and is serving a three year term.
Robin is a familiar face for morning clients and volunteers. As a United Church minister, now retired, Robin has worked with others on issues of economic justice and food security for over forty years. He contributes theological reflection, empathy and critical thinking to the work of the Board. He has enduring links to the Glen Rhodes community and its food advocacy work and wants to continue and deepen the congregation’s exploration of food ministry as a vehicle for social change AND congregational transformation. Robin represents East End United members/adherents and active Nourish volunteers and is serving a three-year term.
Lori worked as a health writer/grant manager in the non-profit sector prior to her retirement, positions where she built skills as a writer and supported board work and fundraising. Her current role at East End United as Outreach Finance Officer supports and oversees the church’s Nourish, Out of the Cold (OOTC) and the East End United refugee programs. She serves as treasurer for both Nourish and Out of the Cold. This work feels essential to her. Lori represents East End United members/adherents and is serving a one-year term.
Anne is a retired, longtime Ontario Government public servant, having worked in social and health policy in a variety of ministries. For several years, she has been a sidewalk volunteer at the Nourish East End Food Bank, and is the coordinator of the community dinner program there. She is also a board member of East Toronto, East York Family Services. Anne has lived in the East End of Toronto for many years and raised her family here.
As part of East End United, Heather is currently a member of M&P committee. She is an elementary schoolteacher, an artist and a positive and enthusiastic presence at Nourish. She also volunteers with community theatre groups and animal rescues. Food and social justice have always been priorities for her. Participating in this work is an expression of her gratitude. Heather represents East End United members/adherents and is serving a two-year term.
Susanne Burkhardt is the Executive Director of the Applegrove Community Complex a multi-service community organization in East Toronto that offers programs and services in several locations including at Glen Rhodes. Programs at Glen Rhodes currently include EarlyON education programs for children (0-6) and senior’s programs such as yoga and cooking classes. Applegrove is a long-time service provider in our community funded by the City. Under Susanne’s leadership, they have been a principal partner in developing the Neighbourhood Food Hub initiative. Susanne brings a wealth of experience building programming and community engagement in our community. Susanne represented Nourish community partners and is serving a one-year term.
Chris is an EEU Trustee and Building Operating Board member (BOB) and has served on virtually all of EEU’s major committees. He is currently Chair of Community Relations and of the Communities of Faith Commission (Shining Waters. ) Chris has held a variety of senior management roles at Legal Aid Ontario. His broad experience with our community partners, including those who share the Glen Rhodes space, provides critical perspective to Nourish as the Glen Rhodes lease is renegotiated with the city. Chris represents the East End United Trustees, as well as members/adherents and is serving a two-year term.
Elliot Mohammed completed a student placement at Nourish East End in 2023 and enjoyed his work with staff, volunteers and clients. He is currently a student of International Relations at the University of Toronto with a goal of completing a Masters of Global Affairs and Public Policy with an emphasis on development studies and food security. He will bring strategic planning skills and research skills that may support Nourish to develop and review their successes to address both short and long-term goals. Elliot is also a member of the Durham Regional Police Services Youth Diversity and Equity Committee and part of the University of Toronto G& Research Group, as well as a member of the AIDS Committee of Durham Region. Elliot represents volunteers and community partners and is serving a one-year term.
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