Elaine Russell

Matthew, the gospel writer was on to something when he recorded so many examples of Jesus living out his faith by feeding and eating with the people. When you break bread with others around your table, both body and soul are being fed. The theological rationale is not hard to follow. Perhaps that is why feeding people is so important in many communities of faith.

It was to relieve the sense of isolation Elaine Russell felt while providing full time care to her aging mother that brought her to the Shepherd’s Lunchroom, a community soup kitchen that has been hosted for a couple of decades by Trinity United Church in New Glasgow. Though many would have sought other ways to find respite, Elaine quickly discovered that joining with like minded individuals and knowing what she did mattered, offered the perfect outlet for her energy. She quickly put to use the 18 years of experience as Food Services Supervisor at the Aberdeen Hospital, as it wasn’t long before some quick thinking volunteers asked her to take over as coordinator and eventually to Executive DIrector. The operation is so seamless and involves so many community, business and church groups in Pictou County that it might have been easy to take it for granted.