We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Meghan Kellington, Starfish Pack Program and Media Coordinator at Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford, BC.
What is your role in food banking?
Starfish Pack Program and Media Coordinator at Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford, BC.
What are your pronouns?
She/her
Describe a typical day in one word.
Busy!
What was your inspiration to get involved in food banking?
I always wanted a career that’s purpose was to improve the lives of others – especially within my own community, so when the opportunity arose to join the food bank team, it felt like a perfect fit.
What is your greatest achievement in your current role?
It’s a tie between adapting the Starfish Pack Program (weekend food packs for children, delivered to their schools) during the pandemic, to ensure the program continued despite school closures, and creating a summer version of the Starfish Pack Program, so students can have access to nutritious food all year long! (We just completed our 6th year of the program!)
What is your greatest challenge in your current role?
The number of students needing to access the Starfish Pack Program, being larger than our current capacity. Having a waitlist to join the program breaks my heart.
If you could have one wish granted that would address hunger in Canada what would it be?
More significant steps to create affordable housing.
Which talent would you most like to have?
It would be very handy to have a photographic memory!
If you could tell your younger self advice, what would it be?
Stop letting the opinion of others, keep you from pursuing interests and dreams.
Who are your heroes? Fictional or real life
- My parents – The love, kindness, and generosity they show to me and those around them inspires greatly.
- Mr. Rogers – I can’t pick a favourite Mr. Rogers quote because there are too many.
- Spiderman – The world would be a better place if every community had a friendly neighbourhood Spiderman.
What is your idea of happiness?
Spending time with people that I love.
Something quirky about you that others may not expect or know?
I’m known at our food bank for the personalized memes I create for our office newsletters, featuring funny pictures of our coworkers or weird situations we have run into that week.
Your theme song?
Joy by Ben Rector.
Do you know a food bank or food banker that could be featured on our next Spotlight? Contact us at communications@foodbankscanada.ca.