(Photo: Board members, Chandra Vir, left, Dorothy Boothroyd and Ken Rippon show food available at Community Share Food Bank in 2019)
Community Spotlight: Ken Rippon
A Legacy of Service and the Evolution of a Community
After retiring from a 37-year career teaching mathematics, Ken Rippon was invited to volunteer at Community Share Food Bank on Tuesdays. Stocking shelves, hauling garbage, and organizing donations quickly became part of his weekly routine. "I’m a strong back and a weak mind kind of guy," Ken jokes in his self-deprecating way.
But volunteering and giving back to his community was nothing new to Ken. It was something he and his wife instilled in their two children from a young age. “We used to take the kids to Loblaws to load food bank donations onto trucks—it was our way of showing them how to give back.”
What began as a retirement activity grew into nearly two decades of dedication. Along the way, Ken found purpose and a community that would transform him. “I am a better husband, father, and person because of my time with Community Share Food Bank,” he reflects.
Ken didn’t imagine how profoundly the food bank would shape his life—or how much he would shape its future. Over time, his role grew from a hands-on volunteer to a board member, and eventually, a trusted leader and advisor. Reflecting on the food bank’s humble beginnings, Ken recalls, “It was a mom-and-pop operation—no budget, no frills. We just cared about having enough for the next day: a few boxes of Kraft Dinner, some oranges, maybe a couple of loaves of bread.”
For Ken, the food bank’s growth mirrored his favourite metaphor by paraphrasing famous quotes from John Quincy Adams and Thomas Jefferson: “We started with soldiers—doing the heavy lifting. Then we became farmers — organized, then we became merchants who focused on distribution. Now, we need scholars to think critically and lead us into the future.”
This evolution wasn’t without challenges. COVID-19, in particular, was a turning point. “We had to rethink everything—shutting down operations, reopening safely, hiring staff. It forced us into the 21st century, but we adapted because people depend on us.”
Through every challenge, Ken’s humour and love of numbers have guided his decisions. “I’m married to numbers,” he says. “It’s all about dividing resources. Whether it’s 60 cans of beans or $60,000, you have to figure out how to do the most for the most people."
A Legacy of Service and the Evolution of a Community
After retiring from a 37-year career teaching mathematics, Ken Rippon was invited to volunteer at Community Share Food Bank on Tuesdays. Stocking shelves, hauling garbage, and organizing donations quickly became part of his weekly routine. "I’m a strong back and a weak mind kind of guy," Ken jokes in his self-deprecating way.
But volunteering and giving back to his community was nothing new to Ken. It was something he and his wife instilled in their two children from a young age. “We used to take the kids to Loblaws to load food bank donations onto trucks—it was our way of showing them how to give back.”
What began as a retirement activity grew into nearly two decades of dedication. Along the way, Ken found purpose and a community that would transform him. “I am a better husband, father, and person because of my time with Community Share Food Bank,” he reflects.
Ken didn’t imagine how profoundly the food bank would shape his life—or how much he would shape its future. Over time, his role grew from a hands-on volunteer to a board member, and eventually, a trusted leader and advisor. Reflecting on the food bank’s humble beginnings, Ken recalls, “It was a mom-and-pop operation—no budget, no frills. We just cared about having enough for the next day: a few boxes of Kraft Dinner, some oranges, maybe a couple of loaves of bread.”
For Ken, the food bank’s growth mirrored his favourite metaphor by paraphrasing famous quotes from John Quincy Adams and Thomas Jefferson: “We started with soldiers—doing the heavy lifting. Then we became farmers — organized, then we became merchants who focused on distribution. Now, we need scholars to think critically and lead us into the future.”
This evolution wasn’t without challenges. COVID-19, in particular, was a turning point. “We had to rethink everything—shutting down operations, reopening safely, hiring staff. It forced us into the 21st century, but we adapted because people depend on us.”
Through every challenge, Ken’s humour and love of numbers have guided his decisions. “I’m married to numbers,” he says. “It’s all about dividing resources. Whether it’s 60 cans of beans or $60,000, you have to figure out how to do the most for the most people."
(Photo: Ken with other CSFB volunteers at the 20th anniversary BBQ in 2024)
Ken has also witnessed the food bank’s transformative impact. He recalls a family of 10 who arrived in Canada with almost nothing. The food bank supported them until they could get back on their feet. Later, the family returned—not as clients, but as volunteers. “They painted the entire basement of the church,” Ken says with a smile. “The church bought the paint, but they gave their labour for free. That’s not a handout—that’s a hand up.”
As Ken retires from the board, he’s proud of what the food bank has accomplished but remains clear-eyed about the future. “We can’t operate like a horse-and-buggy operation in a hands-free-driving world. We need people with imagination—volunteers, donors, and staff who are ready to innovate. The mission is our cornerstone, but sustainability is critical.”
This December, we have an incredible opportunity to honour Ken’s legacy and fuel the future of the food bank. Toyota on the Park is generously matching all donations up to $10,000 until December 31. That means when you make a donation, your gift will have twice the impact for families in need. Want to make an even bigger difference? Join our Fuel the Food Bank challenge . Create a team, invite your family and friends to join, and fundraise together to help us reach more people in need.
Ken said it best: “Every hour, dollar, and calorie you invest here comes back tenfold. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you’ve made the world just a little bit better.”
Now 80, Ken is stepping away from his formal role at the food bank to spend more time with his family and grandchildren. He also cites his belief in the need for fresh leadership. “Two of life’s truisms,” he notes, “are that everything has a best-before date, and the skill set requirements for leadership naturally evolve with time.” He continues with characteristic humour: “As Benjamin Franklin put it, ‘Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.’”
As Ken retires from the board, he’s proud of what the food bank has accomplished but remains clear-eyed about the future. “We can’t operate like a horse-and-buggy operation in a hands-free-driving world. We need people with imagination—volunteers, donors, and staff who are ready to innovate. The mission is our cornerstone, but sustainability is critical.”
This December, we have an incredible opportunity to honour Ken’s legacy and fuel the future of the food bank. Toyota on the Park is generously matching all donations up to $10,000 until December 31. That means when you make a donation, your gift will have twice the impact for families in need. Want to make an even bigger difference? Join our Fuel the Food Bank challenge . Create a team, invite your family and friends to join, and fundraise together to help us reach more people in need.
Ken said it best: “Every hour, dollar, and calorie you invest here comes back tenfold. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you’ve made the world just a little bit better.”
Now 80, Ken is stepping away from his formal role at the food bank to spend more time with his family and grandchildren. He also cites his belief in the need for fresh leadership. “Two of life’s truisms,” he notes, “are that everything has a best-before date, and the skill set requirements for leadership naturally evolve with time.” He continues with characteristic humour: “As Benjamin Franklin put it, ‘Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.’”
(Photos: Left: Ken and his wife of 52 years, Barb, at High Park; Right: Ken’s grandchildren, Sarah and Michael, and Ken’s children Dana and Todd)
Community Share Food Bank extends its heartfelt gratitude to Ken Rippon for his 20 years of service, humour, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the community.
Ken said it best: “Every hour, dollar, and calorie you invest here comes back tenfold. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you’ve made the world just a little bit better.”
👉 Donate Now! Together, let's continue to build a stronger, more resilient society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
👉 Donate Now! Together, let's continue to build a stronger, more resilient society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.