Linda Downey was at Shire Hall Tuesday to accept a County of Prince Edward Civic Recognition award. Wellington Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer nominated Ms. Downey.

She and her husband Bob co-founded the Storehouse Foodbank in 2007 as a way to give back. Ms. Downey received support at a critical juncture in her life and swore she would pay it forward.

In his nomination, Councillor Engelsdorfer cited a 2014 Times story recalling when Ms. Downey, an adult student and single mother of two at the time, broke down during the holidays when she had nothing for her children that Christmas.

While living in Belleville, a group of Seventh Day Adventists visited her at home with a Christmas hamper, full of food and toys.

“She hadn’t reached out for help. It came to her. She collapsed in tears. And she made a promise that day, to pay it forward.”

In that moment was the genesis of the Storehouse Foodbank and people facing the toughest of times in Wellington and the western reaches of Prince Edward County are thankful for her dedication, caring and vigilance to be there at the most vital of moments and in the most dire of circumstances.

“I think we can all say with confidence that Linda has done that and more. There continue to be members of our community in those very circumstances right now,” Mr. Engelsdorfer said. “Linda has given all of her free time, most often more than is reasonable, to build a resource for those in the community who need it most.”

For Ms. Downey, Storehouse was a full-time, year-round job, her only break at Christmas. It was a volunteer role. She was not reimbursed for the countless hours of planning, networking, and administering. Nor for driving around the County picking up food, clothing and donated furniture.

“For Linda, it was never a question of money, but of paying forward the kindness she received in her worst moment. So thank you Linda. Thank you for touching more lives in our community than you will ever know.”

Ms. Downey has retired from her position of President of the Storehouse Foodbank. She thanked council for the recognition and asked the Prince Edward County community to continue to look after each other.

“To me, a community is just neighbours helping neighbours and if I can leave you with one thing, please help your neighbours. That’s what community is all about.”