Ed and Lorraine Cranston have the heart for volunteering. Their life’s focus has been to give back to their local communities, and they haven’t stopped, even at 90-years-old. Ed and Lorraine have been involved with the Barnabas food pantry for two years.

“We love Barnabas!” Said Ed. “We’ll do anything we can to help, no matter what.”

The Beginning of Volunteering

Ed and Lorraine’s desire to help their communities began with Ed’s disabled son. His son, whom Ed described as educated, strong and compassionate, is now 59 years old and has sat in a wheelchair all his life. Because of his son, Ed began volunteering at a school for disabled children. As a result, he and his wife’s desire to give back increased exponentially.

Prior to volunteering at Barnabas, Ed and Lorraine Cranston volunteered at the Trinity Café in Tampa. The Trinity Café is a free, full-service restaurant for the homeless and needy managed by Feeding Tampa Bay. In addition, the chef prepares fresh, nutritious dishes 365 days a year for the people who come for free meals.

Ed and Lorraine donated 19 years of service to the Trinity Café. In those years, the café fed over one million people. As a result, Ed was celebrated as a Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero and presented with a $50,000 grant that he donated to Trinity Café.  

How YOU can Help

Ed and Lorraine are perfect examples of Barnabas’ core values. Their impact has reached many in Nassau County who are experiencing hunger, financial crisis and/or health problems.

Barnabas Center has over 200 volunteers who provide the same impact on the Nassau County community as Ed and Lorraine. Volunteers are the heartbeat of the Barnabas mission, and the Barnabas mission could not be achieve without them. With YOUR help, we can work together to make a difference.

To join Barnabas’ volunteer program, contact Kim Cherry at (904) 261-7000 ext. 118 or KCherry@barnabasnassau.org. Click below to learn more: