Ryan Galloway (he/him) is Nourish’s Resource Manager. He works to secure diverse and nutritious food stocks, to manage inventory and safe food storage and to build relationships with in-kind food donors across our community. Ryan brings his passion and advocacy for food security from a variety of mutual-aid organizations across the GTA. “Food, in so many ways, is a magical way to build community cohesion and solidarity. I am eager to contribute to Nourish East End’s efforts.”
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.
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.
Mercedes is a weekly foodbank volunteer helping to establish our new indoor waiting area to provides welcome and referral to our clients. She has also helped support the board as we shape our strategic plan focusing on the area of community collaboration. She is a long-time, devoted east-end resident.She has a background working in the public sector, leading transformation initiatives on policy and programs with budgets upwards of $60 million. She is deeply committed to building local, place-based communities of care and strives to embody anti-racism and anti-oppression in all that she does. In the past, she has organized around migrant justice, ending immigration detention, and Indigenous solidarity issues. She believes in mutual aid, harm reduction, and trauma-informed low-barrier access to services.
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.
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 and also works closely with staff as the Board’s operational contact. This work feels essential to her. Lori represents East End United members/adherents.
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.
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.
Mark has been a Nourish volunteer for about a year before joining the board making deliveries of bread and other goods before becoming more involved in operational planning and support. He has a history of involvement in social justice causes. Over ten years ago, he co-founded a small non-profit called Unite to Revive which operated community events to build awareness of disaster relief needs and to raise funds. This organization has now folded, but he continues to volunteer with many other organizations (Canadian Adaptive Climbing Society, Trillium Foundation, Ontario Health Coalition). He brings Nourish strong technical skills and the expertise to help optimize some of our processes but believes his strongest skills surround connecting with people and establishing rapport. With his background in fundraising and events, he will also contribute to our fundraising efforts.
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