Sharon Foden made it to the final three for being the driving force behind Barrow Community Kitchen.
When Sharon Fodden first realised there were people starving to death within our own community and she read of a family who had been sanctioned by the government and they were unable to feed themselves she decided to take action.
In October 2015, she set up Barrow Community Kitchen at St Matthews Halls, Barrow. The project started with no funds, venue or helpers just an idea and Sharons determination, which brought the community together to make it a reality. Since then she has worked tirelessly and selfishly to establish and run a service to those in need.
Sharon has not taken a single day off, despite being a full time mum of a little boy with special needs, she juggles her home life and family and the kitchen to ensure that there is an environment every single week for people to go to to have nutritious three course meal, warm friendship and a non-judgmental welcome.
People who use the service are often isolated and lonely all week and enjoy their weekly visit to the kitchen. She is the heart and soul of the kitchen, which is a not for profit entity, so she always organising donations, fundraising, ingredients, publicity, everything to make the kitchen run smoothly.
The kitchen runs every Sunday and the meals, volunteers and activities appear on the day like magic, which is of course down to Sharon working tirelessly in the background. She has much work in the community to do to keep up this illusion but never grumbles, even though she receives little recognition for her efforts.
Sharon has also helped 2 men find temporary accommodation over the xmas period who were homeless, delivered hampers to the elderly or infirm, fed families who otherwise would not have eaten that week and provided for them with essentials for home.
Her friends say “Sharon is a selfless woman and truly is the salt of the earth, she would do anything for absolutely anyone without prejudice or hesitation”
TO VOTE FOR SHARON IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
TEXT LBA23 to 82055
With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award
Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.
One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice
Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.
The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.
Kian decided his first event would be to do the Coniston to Barrow and with help from his parents, he got a team of 11 together to do the run. His next fund raising event was a 21 mile bike ride around the Furness area accompanied by his Dad, they did this on the same day of Aimee’s last Chemotherapy treatment to mark the end of it.
trouble for her. The bond between the two of them is very special and heart-warming. They are friends for life. Anna is so positive with a great sense of humour. She is encouraging without being bossy.
cars while Zoe tried to get her mobile out got but becuase of the pain, was struggling to make the call for an ambulance.