In recognition of International Women’s Day this year, with the theme Give to Gain, we’re spotlighting some of the women working in Daily Bread and across our network of partners and supporters. Their paths, experience, and leadership might look different, but they share a common commitment to showing up for others. Every day, they give their compassion, expertise, and energy. In return, they help build a more resilient and connected community and steer us toward a hunger-free future for everyone.
Caroline Nyaosi – Daily Bread Food Bank
When you walk through the doors at Daily Bread, chances are Caroline is one of the first people you’ll meet. As Office Coordinator and the friendly face of the Welcome Centre, she connects staff, volunteers, and clients, ensuring each day runs smoothly. From preparing volunteer sign-ins and name tags to helping staff access supplies, Caroline is a steady presence who helps everyone do their best work.
Caroline came to Canada from Kenya in 2023 and began volunteering at Daily Bread just three months later. Starting in the production hall, she soon found her place in the Welcome Centre and became a full-time staff member in 2024.
She says the role has taught her patience and the power of kindness across languages and cultures. What stands out most is the spirit of giving. Inspired by the dedication of volunteers and the appreciation she receives, she hopes more people will give back. “I’m happy to serve,” she says.
Amina Chaudhary and Hafsa Kombo – Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Community Health Centre
Women’s Health in Women’s Hands (WHIWH) re-opened their food bank in December. At the heart of the program are Amina and Hafsa, who lead with care and respect.
Hafsa, currently Programs Coordinator at the centre, has been instrumental to the establishment of the food bank. Driven by a strong commitment to help others, she has ensured the food bank remains welcoming, responsive, and grounded in compassion. As an immigrant herself, she understands the barriers many clients face and is deeply motivated by the chance to make services accessible. What she loves most is knowing that even a simple action—offering food, kindness, or understanding—can make someone’s day better. “Even if it’s something as small as serving food, it’s a win,” she says.
Amina leads the day-to-day operations while also shaping the program’s long-term vision. After the food bank was paused due to funding challenges, she played a key role in redesigning and relaunching it—drawing on focus group interviews (including sessions specifically for HIV-positive clients), client feedback, volunteer insights, and her background in medicine. She sees addressing food insecurity as part of a broader approach to better health and poverty reduction. Like Hafsa, she takes great pride in helping their clients and empowering them to achieve their dreams. “When you see the smile on their face,” she says, “that gives our team the energy to keep going.”
Nana Shamba – The Neighbourhood Group Services
Nana’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: Everyone deserves dignity and understanding, specially in moments of need.
As a Community Programs Worker at The Neighbourhood Group, she manages the Teesdale Community Food Bank, which serves between 180 and 200 families each week. She also hosts a cooking class program called The Community Kitchens that helps clients make the most of their groceries without compromising nutrition, organizes workshops that support mental health and wellbeing, and a Community Dinner for 10 Gower Residence. Whichever program clients attend, they always feel welcome, respected, and seen.
Nana grew up in a culture that emphasized the spirit of giving. “What you give away is yours,” she says. Her lifelong instinct to help others is also shaped by her own experience of displacement, migration, and uncertainty. Having lived through periods of instability, she understands how vulnerable it can feel to ask for help. She’s also mindful of the stigma many people feel when accessing food support, and she tries her best to make the experience as stress-free as possible.
What Nana loves most about her work is the connection. Whether it’s sharing a smile, easing someone’s embarrassment, or simply listening, she knows that even a small moment of kindness can make a difficult day feel better. When someone is going through a tough time, it’s important to remind them that they are not alone, and that the community is still there for them.
