South Providence Neighborhood Ministries held it’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 6 at Calvary Baptist Church. After the potluck dinner, Doreen, Felicia and Jeannette shared what’s been happening at SPNM over the last year. A shocked Paul Schoonmaker received the Ed Shuman Service Award.

Schoonmaker has been an active volunteer at Neighborhood Ministries for more than 25 years. He initially became involved when he served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, which instituted Neighborhood Ministries. Since his retirement from the pastorate, he has continued to be involved, serving as a board member and offering his skills and dedication in numerous ways, including serving on committees, assisting in food distribution, and using his engineering expertise to help with computers or the heating and cooling systems.

Kenner noted, “Paul is always willing to help whenever called upon, whether it be to help with a phonathon or clean up the dining room after an event. His positive attitude is wonderful.”

The service award was inaugurated in 2012 to honor the late Ed Shuman, former Warwick resident and long-time volunteer at South Providence Neighborhood Ministries. At age 88, Shuman was still volunteering weekly both as a receptionist and a food distribution worker.