By Mikayla van Loon
Yarra Ranges Council has awarded Keren Greenwood as the shire’s Citizen of the Year for 2022 for her work in the foodbank and food insecurity space.
A Mount Evelyn resident and a Pastor at Vantage Point Church, Ms Greenwood has been alleviating food insecurity for over 25 families each week in the Yarra Ranges.
The project started four years ago and has grown considerably, particularly through the pandemic.
Mayor Jim Child said the foodbank helps to fill a gap where public transport may limit people’s access to services in the shire and Ms Greenwood’s compassion makes her the perfect individual for a community outreach program.
“She brings more than 30 years of work in the wellbeing and care space to this work and selflessly offers a listening ear, her time and referrals to whoever she encounters in the community,” he said.
Ms Greenwood’s co-workers nominated her for the award because of her dedication throughout the pandemic to ensure families still received food packages of essential items, frozen meals, fruit and vegetables and dairy products.
“[Her] heart to serve and persevere to lead makes her an inspirational role model in the community,” Ms Greenwood’s co-workers said in nominating her.
Ms Greenwood in turn thanked her team of volunteers for their dedication and passion for serving people week in and week out, as well as Vantage Point Church for resourcing the program.
“I feel extremely honoured to receive this Citizen of the Year award for the Yarra Ranges and I just feel so privileged to be able to serve my community,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Greenwood congratulated Yarra Ranges council for its ‘Be Kind’ initiative, knowing the power that kindness can have when serving the community.
“Those two little words, be kind, when they are actioned upon make a significant difference in people’s lives and I’m just so proud to collaborate with a city with such a value.”
Mayor Child said without people like Ms Greenwood the community would not function as it does or be able to provide such support to families in need.
“Food insecurity affects many in the Yarra Ranges and outer-east and is interconnected with insecurity in housing, accessing services and long-term health and wellbeing,” he said.
“There are many incredible individuals in the region who are working and volunteering to support others in the community, and there is a very real impact of this work on every person that receives this support.
“These efforts mean the world to those on the receiving end, and we as a community are stronger for having such compassionate, empathetic, dedicated people among us.”
