Honouring Community Leaders: Sarah Coleman and Jim Collins Nominated for Canada’s Volunteer Awards
May 21, 2025
It is my great privilege to have nominated two exceptional individuals from Elgin-Middlesex-London—Sarah Coleman and Jim Collins, along with his organization Harvest Hands Canada—for Canada’s Volunteer Awards, one of the country’s highest honours recognizing extraordinary volunteerism and community service.
Sarah Coleman currently serves as the Manager of Operations at the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank – The Caring Cupboard, where she co-leads one of the region’s most vital frontline organizations in the fight against food insecurity. Sarah and an incredible team of colleagues have made the food bank more than a place for food—it’s a space where every individual is met with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Through strategic planning and collaboration, Sarah and her team have expanded outreach and built inclusive partnerships that have made the food bank more accessible and responsive to community needs. Her efforts extend far beyond her formal role. She is the driving force behind Project Santa, ensuring families experience joy during the holiday season, and she developed Counting on Change, a free program that teaches individuals and families how to stretch their food budgets using practical savings tools. This initiative has empowered participants to build long-term financial resilience and self-sufficiency.
Despite facing personal challenges within her household, Sarah shows up each day for her community. Whether it’s cooking breakfast for 100 people, leading recognition events for women, or dancing in fundraising galas, she is a grassroots leader, role model, and unwavering advocate for equity and care. Her impact has reached thousands of families and influenced food security practices across the province.
Jim Collins, founder of Harvest Hands Canada, has redefined how surplus food can be redirected to support those in need. Witnessing the contradiction between food waste and growing hunger, Jim launched this innovative, donation-based food distribution network to bridge the gap. Today, Harvest Hands rescues surplus food from retailers, growers, and bakers, and redistributes it to over 300 community agencies across 14 counties, delivering more than 115,000 meals each month.
What makes Harvest Hands truly exceptional is its community-driven, sustainable model. The organization operates solely through donations and volunteer power, reflecting Jim’s deep values of faith, kindness, and service. More than a food program, Harvest Hands connects people to resources for financial literacy, employment, and health, helping individuals build lasting resilience and hope.
Jim’s visionary leadership has inspired similar initiatives across Ontario and cultivated a culture of generosity. Managing a high-demand, decentralized operation across urban and rural regions presents daily challenges, but through innovation, humility, and relentless commitment, Jim and his team have built a lasting legacy. Hundreds of volunteers have found a sense of purpose and connection through their work with Harvest Hands, creating a powerful ripple effect in communities across Southwestern Ontario.
Sarah Coleman and Jim Collins are extraordinary examples of what dedicated, compassionate leadership can achieve. Their nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards reflect their incredible contributions, and we are hopeful they will receive the national recognition they so richly deserve.
Their work reminds us that volunteerism is not just about giving time, it’s about building community, creating opportunity, and lifting others up. We celebrate Sarah, Jim, and all those who give selflessly to make Elgin-Middlesex-London a better place to live.
Media Contact:
Emily Bradshaw
Office of Rob Flack, MPP
519-631-5995
emily.bradshaw@pc.ola.org