Rachael Wilson, Community Services Award

CEO, Ottawa Food Bank
Small Business Management, 2000

As a youth looking to make a difference in her hometown, Rachael Wilson volunteered at the Ottawa Food Bank.

Three decades removed from that first visit, she is captaining the charitable organization through some choppy waters as CEO, the first woman to ever hold that position.

Last year, one in seven households in Ottawa reported experiencing food insecurity, a significant increase from one in 15 just five years ago.

This year, demand at what is the country’s fifth largest food bank increased by 86 percent compared to March 2019.

“These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are families, individuals, seniors, and children,” Wilson recently told parliamentarians at a finance standing committee debating the new grocery rebate program.

From a young age, Wilson, now a mother of two, says she knew community service would be her calling.

Leaning toward the non-profit sector as her vocation, she followed that path in her post-secondary education graduating from the small business management program at Algonquin College before embarking on a career in fundraising that brought her to the Ottawa Food Bank seven years ago.

For Wilson, giving back to the community aligns with her values.

That’s why she was ‘tickled pink’ to learn she would be this year’s recipient of the College’s Alumni of Distinction Award of Distinction in the Community Services category.

“First off, I didn’t think anyone was paying attention to anything I was doing. So, I was thrilled to know that someone was paying attention,” she said, adding: “I think it is so important that people recognize the value that college’s play in people’s education and that university and some of the other higher education is not a fit for everyone.”

Pointing to her own son as an example, she said there are some people who will thrive in the hands-on practical, personalized approach that a college education offers its students.

“There is a huge need for those with practical experience who can jump into the job world, ready to work. We all know there’s need right now in trades. But even in our sector, it is hard to hire people right now. So, having people who have those skills that we are looking for, that are hands on, specific skills they received through a college experience is critical for the not-for-profit sector. I really encourage people to think about college. It’s critical for the economy and workplaces. And it’s a better fit for many people.”

To be recognized by Algonquin College for the value that the College gave to her ambitions and to have that celebrated in her accomplishments “really means a lot to me. It really does,” Wilson said.

“This is incredibly rewarding work. It’s very challenging work. But it is a career. You can be a fundraiser, or work in food banking as an administrator, or a community support worker, there are many great careers. Having a career in the not-for-profit sector was nothing I ever imagined. But my experience at Algonquin College absolutely prepared me for where I am today.”

Wilson succeeded Michael Maidment at the helm of The Ottawa Food Bank in September 2020 with the community firmly in the grip of the COVID pandemic.

“He supported me. He was my champion and really helped me prepare for the position. Over the five year we worked together, he gave me many opportunities to lead. So, I had to make decisions and do everything that a CEO would do. But he really trusted me and respected my opinion as well, which made a huge difference for me,” she said.

Wilson believes very strongly in letting people step into a role, to make those decisions and own those decisions.

That is important, she stresses.

“Create opportunities for people to lead at every stage of their career. Be accountable and own the decision, so they can celebrate those successes. Or if they don’t work out well, they can build resilience and figure out what’s the plan to fix it? How are they going to address it? What did they learn from it, so they do better the next time? It builds so much trust and confidence.”

Failure, says Wilson, is a part of the process. She strongly believes you can’t have success, you can’t be innovative at all, unless you build failure into the process.

“If you are always striving for success every time,” she said, “you’re not going to learn anything and you’re probably not doing it right.”

Wilson foresees a massive transition coming for the food bank.

Whether it’s another pandemic, an emergency like the tornadoes, or the Derecho storm, there’s always going to be a need for an emergency food bank, she said. And there will be people, she points out, “who are living paycheque to paycheque where a large bill will throw them off for a month or so.”

What needs to be addressed, and what Wilson is constantly advocating for, is a reduction in chronic ongoing food bank usage caused by the lack of social supports.

“We want people to have other options than having to turn to a food bank every single month. We strive to create a dignified approach to food banking, but there has to be a better way. People should have access to buy the food that is right for their family, where they want it, when they want it.

Wilson hopes to transition away from the massive system behind the Ottawa Food Bank, bring it back to the community and have food banks be a part of neighbourhoods.

“Food insecurity isn’t about food. It’s really about poverty. Our vision is that you could access food in your community, but that you’re also accessing supports and referrals to help move out of poverty, whether that’s help finding a job, health services, language classes or tax clinics. We recognize that food is what brings people to the door, but they really need support to address the underlying issues. Food banking is changing how the community approaches social services and refocusing on the needs of the individual.”

“It’s a critical service the community needs, and we are committed to making access to everything someone needs as easy as possible. More food isn’t the answer, but we think food banks can be a part of the solution.”