A Legacy of Care: Burlington Food Bank Celebrates New Beginnings

Hamilton Spectator

27-04-2025

The Art Gallery of Burlington opened its doors to the Burlington Food Bank and the community on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, for a heartfelt celebration of leadership, legacy, and new beginnings. Friends, volunteers, and supporters gathered to bid farewell to long-time Executive Director Robin Bailey, whose tireless commitment over the past seven years helped shape the organization into a vital pillar of support for families across the city. As Bailey embarks on a new chapter as the executive director of Feed Halton, the evening also marked a warm welcome to Christina Mulder, who steps into the role with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for community service.
For many, the Burlington Food Bank has become a beacon of hope for individuals and families facing uncertain times. Wednesday's event brought the community together to reflect on the challenges of food insecurity while also celebrating resilience, compassion, and the incredible strength of Burlington. Guests enjoyed delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and moving speeches from council members, MPP Natalie Pierre, and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
Words of appreciation Mayor Marianne Meed Ward shared her heartfelt gratitude: 'Your unwavering commitment to service — you have to know that your work has touched thousands and thousands of people in our community — we're proud of you, and you should be proud of what you've achieved. Thank you so much.'
Meed Ward added, 'Both Robin and Christina thought deeply about dignity, about ensuring that people seeking support would never feel 'less than,' and that is such an important legacy to uphold.'
Incoming Executive Director Christina Mulder also paid tribute to Bailey's leadership. 'Over the past eight years, Robin has redefined what food access looks like in Burlington. His natural, unassuming leadership repaired and renewed relationships, uplifted others doing similar work, and championed the marginalized in our community,' Mulder stated. 'Though he is stepping away from the food bank, our friendship and my admiration for him remain unchanged. His legacy is one we will carry forward with pride.'
Speakers also honoured Maria Thornton, who is departing as chairperson after six years on the Burlington Food Bank's board, for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to the cause.
'During unprecedented times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it was under Robin and [board chair] Maria's stewardship that the food bank remained a reliable source of nourishment and comfort when our community needed it most,' said MPP Natalie Pierre.
Board member Rick Owens spoke movingly about Thornton's impact.
'Maria led with purpose, passion, and a deep sense of humanity. She showed up fully and wholeheartedly, bringing grace and empathy even through the most challenging times, like the pandemic. Her leadership was critical to getting us through. She also championed initiatives like the creation of Halton's community-driven food distribution hub, an achievement that will have lasting impact.'
Thornton herself shared her reflections and gratitude with the assembled crowd.
'When I joined the board, our mission was to strengthen the Burlington Food Bank's impact — not only responding to need, but doing so with compassion, dignity, and purpose. We made big strides: stabilizing operations through careful stewardship, building reserves, strengthening our visibility and credibility, and transforming how we serve our community. We've created a place where people come not with shame, but with trust.'
Giving people access to the food they need with dignity is a key principle of the Burlington Food Bank.
Through tears, Thornton thanked the food banks' staff, volunteers, and her fellow board members, whom Thornton credits with making it all possible: 'None of these accomplishments would have been possible without incredible people behind the scenes…I am so proud of what we have built together.'
Addressing the urgent need The evening also highlighted how today's economic climate continues to drive food insecurity. 'Economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and global instability have contributed to more people needing support than ever before,' said Board Director Dave Dyson.
Mayor Meed Ward spoke to the shocking reality many are facing in Burlington, across Halton, and beyond.
'In our wealthy country, it's astonishing that food insecurity exists — and yet it does, and it's growing. Residents are spending anywhere from 41% to 141% of their income just on healthy food. A weekly grocery bill for a family is now around $297, before paying rent, transportation, or anything else. It's at a crisis level.'
Mulder added, 'The Burlington Food Bank has been quietly and consistently addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. It's our friends and neighbours — people working hard, but struggling to make ends meet — who rely on us.'
Meed Ward's and Mulder's comments underscore the rise in the number of working people who are finding that their pay cheques no longer stretch as far as they did before due to rising food and housing costs. It is not only people who must rely on social assistance or those struggling to find work who need help putting food on the table; there are also people with full-time jobs who can no longer afford their grocery bills on top of other costs of living.
Looking to the future: a new strategic vision As the evening turned toward the future, Mulder shared the Burlington Food Bank's new three-year strategic plan, grounded in four key themes: elevating standards of care; expanding and modernizing facilities; enhancing training and communications; and strengthening partnerships and outreach.
Mulder spoke about hiring staff 'to help clients navigate complex social systems' and ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ingrained in every aspect of their work to elevate their standards of care over the next three years. With regard to facilities, the Burlington Food Bank is looking to analyze the needs of the community to identify underserved areas for expansion or areas that perhaps require updated facilities.
The food bank's commitment to transparency in communication was highlighted, as was the need to 'ensure that everyone feels heard and valued,' said Mulder.
That commitment to communication dovetails into their fourth strategic pillar of strengthening partnerships, as they look to deepen their existing partnerships and collaborations, as well as build new partnerships to better serve the community.
'This is more than just a strategic plan — it's a commitment,' Mulder said. 'A commitment to do better, reach further, and ensure that everyone has the dignity of access to food and support when they need it. I am honoured to begin this next chapter with you all.'
The evening served as a powerful reminder that food insecurity is not just a statistic — it's a reality affecting families right here in Burlington. It was also a celebration of the extraordinary compassion, strength, and resilience of a community that refuses to let anyone go hungry alone. As rising costs continue to place more families at risk, the Burlington Food Bank stands ready, offering hope, dignity, and unwavering support.This celebration was also a call to action, inspiring all of us to work together to build a future where everyone has access to the nourishment and care they deserve.
The Burlington Food Bank welcomes all who want to support their neighbours during these challenging times. For ways to get involved,
click here
.