Spotlight:

2008 Partnership Award: Shelby Gallagher

Shelby Gallagher began her volunteer relationship with Connecticut Food Bank in 2006 when her daughter, Kailey, now 17, needed to perform service hours for her confirmation. Mother and daughter began by sorting products for the Meat the Need program and eventually moved into the office, assisting with mailings as well as other office tasks, to finally come back to the warehouse with the Produce for the People program. Kailey successfully completed her service hours and went on to make her confirmation, but Shelby continued to volunteer at Connecticut Food Bank.

Shelby found her niche by supporting the Produce for the People program. She enjoys working on this outreach program for local grassroots organizations, senior citizen housing complexes and tenant councils in low-income neighborhoods. She is a part of the frontline for Connecticut Food Bank, directly providing food to these groups dedicated to helping their neighborhoods, and she helps the Food Bank introduce them to our work and encourage them to become incorporated nonprofits and members of Connecticut Food Bank. Shelby is incredibly reliable, giving more than 81 weeks of service and taking the lead on the Produce for the People program when called upon by Food Bank staff.

Shelby is a lifelong resident of Connecticut, having grown up in Orange; she attended Amity Regional Senior High School and Stone School of Business. Shelby earned a degree in Accounting and worked in that field for 11 years. She has since settled in North Branford with her husband, Thomas, and two children.

Connecticut Food Bank was proud to present to Shelby Gallagher a Partnership Award for her commitment to the Produce for the People program and dedication to our mission to help our neighbors in need.