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Cari Simon recognized with 4th Annual SAIL Community Service Award

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Nov 26, 2021

Shepherdstown Shares food pantry coordinator Cari Simon fills a shopping cart with food in Nov. 2020. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On Friday afternoon, Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry coordinator Cari Simon received recognition for her work in setting up and running the food pantry over the past year, with the presentation of the 4th Annual Community Service Award by Shepherdstown Area Independent Living.

The award presentation was held over Zoom, during SAIL’s annual meeting.

According to Simon, this kind of recognition was unexpected and unprecedented.

“I’ve never received an award like this before!” Simon said. “I couldn’t have done it all without the support of the amazing board at Shepherdstown Shares and of our many volunteers.”

Shepherdstown Shares board member Jan Hafer praised SAIL for its choice, describing the consistent, dedicated work ethic Simon has modeled and encouraged in her fellow volunteers.

“What a great choice, for a community member who gives her all to the community,” Hafer said. “Cari works so hard. She keeps us on our toes with doing the work every day and doing it well. Cari, thank you for your hard work for the community. I know our community benefits from your dedication!”

According to a press release from SAIL, Simon has been an active member of Shepherdstown Shares, a local non-profit organization, which was established in the fall of 2020 to help and assist people whose income had been affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the pandemic worsened last summer, the group decided that some form of food assistance was needed for those who had lost their jobs or had hours cut. Simon jumped in to organize the effort, and by early September she had the current pantry in the Trinity Episcopal Chapel furnished, staffed with volunteers and filled with a steady supply of food donations. During the height of the pandemic, the food pantry was supplying weekly food boxes to 60-70 families, comprising hundreds of people. And for the foreseeable future, the Shepherdstown Shares Food Pantry will continue to provide food for those in need.

“Throughout the years, Cari’s volunteer work has made a difference,” said award presenter and SAIL board member emeritus Jack Young. “She does all this work and interfaces with all kinds of people! Regardless of the obstacles, she comes away with a proven solution and a big smile, for everyone involved.

“It’s a real pleasure to make this presentation!” Young said. “This is a special award to recognize the contributions of a person in the community, who is taking action to help people in the community, including SAIL members.”

According to Young, prior to the pandemic, Simon could already be found giving of herself in a variety of other ways: teaching for 36 years in the public school system, helping with volunteer programs for high school swim meets and contributing to the needs at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

“Cari considers managing this food pantry her second calling, after teaching,” Young said. “You really need to know a lot about this outstanding leader! It was her talent and contributions with Shepherdstown Shares that make her an outstanding individual that we would like to recognize.”