For Sarah Coleman, helping others put food on the table isn’t just a job, it’s a deeply personal mission shaped by lived experience and a strong belief in supporting your community.
Coleman works full-time as Manager of Operations at the St. Thomas–Elgin Food Bank, overseeing everything from inventory to client intake. Outside of work, she dedicates countless volunteer hours to Counting on Change with Sarah Coleman, a Facebook community she founded more than a decade ago that now connects over 5,000 members.
Through the platform, Coleman teaches people how to stretch their grocery budgets using coupons, loyalty programs, and rebates—knowledge she gained during a difficult period in her own life after a sudden job loss left her family struggling. “I didn’t want anyone else to feel the way we felt,” she says. “If I could help people afford food and still enjoy life with their families, that mattered to me.”
Beyond saving money, Coleman works hard to eliminate the stigma around food insecurity by openly sharing her story and encouraging honest conversations. Over time, Counting on Change has grown into a supportive community where members help one another by sharing deals, tips, and encouragement.
One of Coleman’s most meaningful initiatives each year is Project Santa, which supports families who don’t qualify for traditional holiday assistance programs. This past year alone, the project helped 48 local families thanks to dozens of community sponsors.
Despite receiving numerous awards and nominations for her volunteer work, Coleman says the recognition is humbling but unnecessary. “You don’t do this for the accolades,” she says. “You do it because everyone deserves support.”
You can hear our interview with Coleman below as part of our Volunteer Appreciation Day series on 94.1 myFM.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
