A WOMAN who helps feed Callington’s hungry and has been called responsible for fattening the entire congregation of the local church, was on the receiving end of a non-edible surprise last week.

Callington Foodbank project manager, Pam Stephens, was presented with a bouquet of flowers from her grateful friends and colleagues at the foodbank, and team co-ordinator, Mark Haydon, who was behind the surprise presentation, was unequivocal in his praise.

Mark said: “Pam is our rock. She shows the foundation that the foodbank is built on: love, gentleness, understanding, and a non-judgmental approach to anyone and everyone who comes through our doors.

“Whatever the need, Pam steps up either with a gentle word, a hug, a cup of tea or just food. To see Pam come alongside someone and listen with her caring heart is to see the gospel in action.”

When not dealing with the foodbank, she has been involved in other community activities, such as celebrating the country’s longest running post office. Caroline Hammond, who worked with her on the fair to mark the 175 years of Stoke Climsland Post Office, described her work as ‘invaluable’.

Caroline said: “The fair was hugely successful and all the planning took up the small working party’s lives for about a year.

“Pam hosted many meetings at her home and always laid on a spread of the most delicious homemade cakes and muffins. Most were made with beetroot!

“She always felt she did not contribute as much as others, which was untrue — she did loads and loads and always smiling, positive and happy and is a wonderful member of any team.

“The most memorable contribution was the morning after the fair day. After a very long day on Saturday getting everything ready and everyone on the working party exhausted but happy, on the Sunday morning we had planned to be there at 8am as a team to clear the marquee on the green, ready for a celebration church service at 10am.

“We arrived to find Pam and Sue Watts had already done it! Most importantly her smile still went from ear to ear! Then she arrived just before the service looking (and smelling) clean, fresh and tidy. Good on you, Pam!”

Her baking skills won Pam praise – or blame – from another volunteer, Leonie Starrs.

He said: “The whole church has put on weight due to Pam’s amazing baking and she puts vegetables in cake as her husband doesn’t eat vegetables!”

Her husband, Rev Tony Stephens, agreed, and added electronic Scrabble to her list of pursuits.

He added: “I bought her scrabble for the iPad and it was the best £3 investment I have ever made for her!”

A stunned Pam was taken aback by the presentation, but was still keen to share the credit around.

Pam said: “How lovely, this has taken me completely by surprise, this isn’t just for one person at Callington Foodbank. The foodbank is run by volunteers who all give up their precious spare time to help feed people in need. It’s only down to the fact that local people donate food that we are able to keep the foodbank running.

“So thank you to everyone, and thank you for the beautiful flowers.”

Presenting the bouquet, Tesco’s Alan Woollcombe added: “Pam brings positivity and joy to all around her, and this is a token of thanks from an awful lot of people whose lives she has improved.”

Another volunteer, Jan Parsons, summed up a widespread feeling: “She’s everyone’s cup of tea. This is much deserved.”