Yvonne Dasler was at the Gurajat home of Mahatma Gandhi in India when the Queen's Birthday honours call came.
"How amazing is that," says the Blenheim woman, who has also been a long-term advocate for the poor, on being awarded a Queen's Service Medal.
"I was surprised, humbled, excited, and most of all – because I have always been a patriot – deeply moved."
The citation for services to the community noted Mrs Dasler had been the convener and driving force behind John's Kitchen, which runs a koha cafe at lunchtime and a free evening meal every Wednesday, and distributes bread in Blenheim.
Last year, when John's Kitchen put its 50,000th meal on a plate, Mrs Dasler called the milestone "phenomenal".
The kitchen run by the Crossroads Trust in Redwood St has no direct funding and relies completely on donations and volunteers.
"We perform the miracle of the loaves and fishes every day here. We always have enough and we've never turned anyone away," she said.
As well as being chairwoman of the Crossroads Charitable Trust, Mrs Dasler has also been a trustee of the Marlborough Migrant Centre, a trustee of the Marlborough Volunteer Centre, secretary of the Maori Women's Welfare League and a member of the ethics committee of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board, and still serves as a parish councillor for the Blenheim Methodist Church.
She is modest about her achievements, which is not unexpected.
"I'm quite unworthy of this. I'm just doing the sort of work other Methodists have been doing for 300 years in the fight for social justice.
"Now it's working for the many people who are alienated and impoverished in Marlborough at present to make it a better place."
She had "absolutely no idea" of the recognition coming her way.
"I'm completely overwhelmed. I don't see it as my award, but for everyone working voluntarily in Marlborough."
Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman was pleased Mrs Dasler had been nationally recognised for her efforts in Marlborough.
She was "extremely community minded" and was the driving force behind the establishment of John's Kitchen a decade ago, he said.
"John's Kitchen has grown in importance and has been recognised by the TrustPower National Community Awards this year, but it's her dedication to reach out to people in need that has made this organisation the success it is."
- The Marlborough Express
ANNA WALLIS AND SIMON WONG
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