While outgoing development manager Deann Little is certainly sad to be leaving her position at the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, she is also excited to welcome new development manager Jason Moore to the team.
Little has been with the Food Bank for nine years and will be leaving her position at the end of this week, as she is moving back to B.C. after 20 years here in Moose Jaw.
“It’s definitely a mixed bag of emotions,” said Little. “The minus-40 winters I might not perhaps miss so much, but I will miss working with Terri (Smith, operations manager). She and I have worked so closely over the years (and) I absolutely loved all nine years of working here.”
During her time at the Food Bank, Little helped implement a number of new programs in the organization and also has a large part in developing the plan to move into a larger building — an initiative that launched earlier this summer with a fundraising campaign.
For Little, it will be a little disappointing to leave before seeing that project come to fruition, but she has plenty of confidence in Moore as her replacement.
“I do know that the changes I've implemented here are for the greater good of the Food Bank, and it has helped hundreds and hundreds of people in our community,” said Little. “And I know that with Jason taking over, he brings so much experience and past knowledge (that) I know he will push this job even further than what I’ve done. I have not one fear at all about leaving it to Jason.”
Moore has a background working with non-profit organizations that spans 15 years, including organizations in North Battleford and Saskatoon, such as The Lighthouse Supportive Living.
He is excited to return to Moose Jaw, as he lived here previously, graduated from Central Collegiate and also has family here in the city.
“I’m really excited to be taking over from Deann, and it's obviously big shoes to fill, but I’m really looking forward to working with the Food Bank and bringing some of my experience here and seeing what we can accomplish in the community of Moose Jaw,” said Moore. “I’m really passionate about helping people and I love an opportunity to serve a community and be a blessing for less fortunate people.”
Moore is looking forward to bringing his expertise to the Moose Jaw Food Bank, as well as jumping in on the new opportunities that a new, larger building will provide for both space and services.
“I couldn’t be coming in at a better time, with the possibility of a new building and the expansions that have happened because of Deann. She just set the track for success for me, so I appreciate that,” said Moore.
The fundraiser for the new building is still going well, said Little, and the Food Bank always welcomes more help from the community.
The fundraiser goal is $100,000, with approximately $50,000 of that set towards the purchase of a new walk-in fridge and freezer unit. The last time the Moose Jaw Express checked in, the Food Bank had reached nearly 60 per cent of its goal so far.
Monetary donations are still the Food Bank’s focus at this time, and anyone interested in donating can do so by mailing a cheque to the Food Bank’s current location at 305 Fairford Street West, by donating online via its website at mjfoodbank.org or sending an e-transfer to endhunger@mjfoodbank.org.
