Norman Kehl honoured at this year’s Mayor’s Breakfast

Drew Shelley, chair of the Stratford House of Blessing’s board, presents Norman Kehl with an award at the Mayor’s Breakfast on Oct. 9, honouring his four decades of volunteering with the local food bank.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Every year the Mayor’s Breakfast honours an organization that makes a difference in the Festival City, collecting donations on its behalf. This year, on Oct. 9, the recipient was the Stratford House of Blessing – and it decided to honour one of their own, Norman Kehl, as well.

In the middle of executive director Eva Hayes’ introductory speech, explaining what the food bank does and what impact it has on residents, she invited Kehl up with Drew Shelley, board chair of the charity, for the surprise announcement.

“It is a distinct privilege to be able to join you this morning and to recognize an individual whose quiet dedication and compassion has served the community of Stratford for over four decades,” Shelley said about Kehl. “… His faithfulness, his compassion, and his dedication serve as an example to each and every one of us in this community.”

Dedication is evidently a pillar of Kehl’s character. He is the oldest and longest-serving volunteer of the House of Blessing, having been officially volunteering with the organization since 1989, and has been involved since 1983, when his late-wife Florence Kehl first started it as Operation Blessing.

Now in his 90s, Kehl continues to volunteer every week, picking up donations from bins in grocery stores across the city.

Accepting his award with a succinct “thank you,” Kehl received a standing ovation from the crowd, before Hayes reminded the breakfast-enjoyers just why volunteers like Kehl are so integral to the city, now more than ever.

The House of Blessing is just one of Stratford’s local food banks, and its usage continues to rise year over year, often month over month.

On average, each month brings 33 new individuals to the House of Blessing for its services, Hayes shared with guests that morning. Its delivery service alone reaches an average of 176 individuals every month.

Speaking with the Times in August of this year, Hayes said there had been a 197 per cent increase in usage in the past five years. Demand has nearly tripled.

“With those facing food insecurity on the rise this year faster than any time in our 42 year history, community support is incredibly important,” Hayes said.

Mayor Martin Ritsma expressed how pleased he was that House of Blessing and Kehl in particular were recognized that morning. Not only is the food bank an important asset for the community, but Kehl has been a positive force in his family’s life for a long time.

“Norman and I go, way back,” Ritsma shared. “Norman and Florence Kehl took my brother Ralph and my sister Ruth, when CAS came into our family. And that was many, many years ago where they had opened their door and their mentorship to two siblings.

“Sadly, those two siblings are not with us today, but if they were, I know they would be most grateful and most honoured to be part of this tribute to you today, Norman.”

With files from Alex Hunt, Times Correspondent.