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Sandford steps into role as Harvest House chair

Aikman leaves big shoes to fill for a small person
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Dorothy Sandford has taken over the duties as chair of the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Dedicated volunteers are the lifeblood of the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank. Whenever a change is required, someone’s always willing to make sure the job keeps getting done.

Such was the case again recently, as Jan Aikman stepped aside from her duties as chair due to family considerations and Dorothy Sandford has assumed the role.

Sandford grew up in Chilliwack but has lived on the Island since her teens in the Victoria, Sooke and Metchosin areas before coming to Chemainus seven years ago.

“I’m not really a city person,” she conceded. “I love Chemainus. It’s so nice.”

Sandford has been with the Harvest House Food Bank for about two years and knows she has big shoes to fill, but is up for the task.

“We all totally miss Jan,” she indicated.

Aikman had to depart on short notice, with health conditions of her mother-in-law to become the primary focus.

“I’m pretty good at saying I don’t want to do all of it,” offered Sandford. “The board members are stepping up. I don’t mind doing the hands-on kind of stuff.”

She’s sat on the boards of volunteer groups before and is well-versed on what needs to be done.

It’s actually been a decent several months for the food bank with regular donations keeping the shelves stocked.

“We’re definitely growing since COVID,” explained Sandford. “We’re supporting four communities now.”

The Fill The Truck event in Duncan and regular contributions from Loaves & Fishes have been keeping the food supply ahead of the demand.

Sandford knows all the individual and company support will make her job a lot easier.

“It’s been a great community for helping,” she said. “The other board members and all the volunteers are really great. They all know what their jobs are and everybody pitches in.”

Sandford conceded she’s carrying a heavy workload for now, but “there’s always somebody in the background doing something,” she said.

With COVID, all participants are wearing masks and hand sanitizing before they come in to the food bank.

Sandford’s primary concern, she said, will be “just staying on top of things and making sure the shelves are stocked so we can give a variety of food – and nutritious food.”

Aikman actually served as interim chair and then chair under a similar situation after predecessor Sylvia Massey was forced to resign due to her health at the time.

“I was only there five years,” Aikman indicated. “That’s a minor fraction compared to some people.

“I did enjoy it. Our volunteers are fantastic. I was so lucky to have them support me. Our Cowichan Valley is so giving – really, really lucky this year, but not nice with COVID.

“The food bank has done well – thanks to my volunteers through thick and thin, they came.”

Aikman’s command of the job made it a pleasant experience for everyone and that will certainly continue under Sandford’s leadership.

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Jan Aikman has done tremendous service to the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank during her time with the organization. (File photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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