As a young boy, Tony Bender was aware that people in his own community were going hungry. He watched as his parents donated their canned homemade goods at church to help fill House of Friendship’s emergency hampers.
“The culture at House of Friendship is acceptance. Volunteers in our Food Hamper Program ranged from retired school principals to new Canadians. We had many volunteers who were former clients. Everyone is accepted for who they are and treated with the respect they deserve.”
Fast-forward to his last year at the University of Waterloo. With spare time after exams, Tony helped out with the Christmas Hamper Program. Little did he know, it was the start of a 39-year career with House of Friendship, including overseeing the Emergency Food Hamper Program.
Tony recognized that the core values of dignity, respect and acceptance run deep at House of Friendship. “In turn, community members who use the Food Hamper Program want to give back,” he says. “We had many volunteers who were former clients.”
Now retired, Tony volunteers weekly with the program. “Now that I’m not doing the day-to-day stuff, I can reflect more on the big picture. I find myself thinking about how food insecurity keeps growing.”
That’s why Tony chose to leave a gift in his Will to House of Friendship. His generosity will continue to reach the most vulnerable members of our community well into the future.
With his legacy gift, Tony is ensuring hungry neighbours will have a place to come for food long after he’s gone. What a fitting way to continue a lifetime of compassionate work!
