Wilf and Susan Rogers enjoy spending time with each other and they're certainly making the moments count.

The husband and wife duo has been assisting local families in need and running the Stoney Creek Community Food Bank together for 17 years.

"Being able to spend time with one another while doing something like this is nice," 85-year-old Wilf said.

"That's not to say that we don't have differences of opinion," joked 64-year-old Susan. "But he's the boss and makes the final decisions...he has been here a little longer than me.”

Wilf, who acts as chair and handles all of the food inventory, purchasing, pickups and cleanup, became involved in the food bank in 1994.

He had retired from the Hamilton Police Service after being an officer for 37 years and was looking for another way to serve.

"I basically walked in and said, 'Can I do anything to help?' And they put me to work," Wilf said, adding he gradually made his way up the ranks to treasurer and then chair in 1997. "It seemed like the right fit. In my policing days, I was protecting and serving, and now I'm simply serving as a volunteer."

Susan, who's secretary and treasurer and manages the books, client registration and other volunteers, became involved with the food bank in 1999.

She had retired early from the Hamilton Teachers' Credit Union after working in different financial capacities for 29 years.

Susan said she helped out at the food bank on occasion when she and Wilf were dating, but became more involved after they got married in 1999.

She became secretary and treasurer in 2004.

"The more time I spent there, the more I knew it was where I wanted to be – I really enjoyed spending time with the other volunteers and getting to know the clients," Susan said.

Wilf, Susan and the other volunteers have helped almost 50,000 people over the years.

But it hasn't always been easy.

The food bank was forced to move from its original location in the old fire hall at 13 Lake Ave. S. in 2011. It had called the fire hall – situated in the downtown core – home for 19 years. The building, which was owned by the City of Hamilton, was demolished.

The food bank opened in its current location in the former Creek Community Church at 605 Hwy. 8 in October 2011. The building, which also houses other charitable organizations, was purchased by the city in 2010.

Before the move, Wilf and Susan had hoped to find another location closer to the downtown core. They were worried the change in address would prove too far for some clients.

"The original location was ideal because it was within walking distance for many," Susan said. "We even lost some volunteers because they didn't have cars. It was a hard and stressful time."

"How we did it, I don't know, but everything just fell into place," Wilf said. "Thanks to the cooperation of many, including city staff, things got better. The move was successful and we've done well."

Asked what has kept them and the food bank going for all of these years, Wilf said "Being able to help is what pushes me and I always say, without our volunteers, we're nothing."

Susan said helping others gives her a sense of purpose.

"It's great being able to do something that’s meaningful," she said, adding the food bank would not be able to do what it does without the community's support. "We've been so fortunate to have the support that we've had over the years, and I can you that it means the world to our clients. It's really an honour to serve this community."

Wilf and Susan are being recognized for their service. The couple has been named the Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Citizens of the Year and will be recognized at the 49th Community Achievement Awards on May 10 at Winona Vine Estates.

Friend Joyce Brown, who's also president of Royal Canadian Legion Battlefield Branch 622, said Wilf and Susan are more than deserving of the award.

As members of the legion, the pair is always helping out in various capacities, she said.

"I've known them for 15 years and they just seem to jump right in with both feet and help out in whatever way they can," Brown said. "They're always thinking of everybody else but themselves. They're just very nice people."

For Wilf and Susan, being named Citizens of the Year is an honour and humbling.

"It was also a complete surprise," Wilf said.

"It's not something that we would expect," Susan said. "But it’s nice to be recognized and able to share something like this together.”