To Gail Bones and other volunteers at the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank, pastor Tom Oshiro is the inspiration that keeps them going day after day.

"What do I think of Tom Oshiro?" said the volunteer haircutter at the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank. "He's the most precious person and probably the closest thing to Mother Teresa that I will ever meet."

Oshiro, honoured with Leadership Victoria's annual Lifetime Achievement Award yesterday, arrived at the Mustard Seed in 1991, going from counsellor to pastor and director. He has watched the number of hungry people grow from 400 to 7,200 a month -- including 1,700 children -- and overseen the food bank as it clambered from the brink of financial collapse in 1996 to reach last year's budget of $1.9 million -- all from donations.

"We have never got one cent from government, which is such a blessing -- they can't dictate to us," said Oshiro, 81, sitting in his Mustard Seed office surrounded by walls of books, children's paintings, crystal-meth pamphlets and religious symbols.

Oshiro, who was named Citizen of the Year for Victoria in 2002, is slightly bemused by the award, and reflected on his definition of leadership.

"I think I have a disposition that releases tension for the people that are here," he said.

"I do a lot of laughing. I don't get overly serious about everything. In this kind of atmosphere, everyone that comes here is in trouble and if you took it on yourself you wouldn't last long."

Oshiro said he tries to express compassion and love for everyone. "And most of it is genuine, but at times you feel like choking some people," he said with a smile.

Compassion has not always been easy, said Oshiro, who remembers his feelings of anger and bitterness after facing racial prejudice during the Second World War.

"I had a lot of hostility and then, when I became a Christian, when I was about 17, everything changed," he said.

Life as a minister in the Baptist church, which took him from Ontario to B.C., was a lot of fun, said Oshiro, who initially came to Victoria as pastor of Royal Oak Baptist Church.

His enjoyment has never faded, despite the pain of seeing growing numbers of hungry children and friends ravaged by crystal meth.

His eyes are already set on his next goal.

"We need to develop a family centre where people responsible for children can receive education on budgeting and food costs," Oshiro said.

"Food banks are Band-Aids and we have to go beyond that kind of work. We have to develop life skills."

Oshiro, whose wife died in 2008, said aside from his work, he takes comfort in his three children and 10 grandchildren. "They keep life happy for me," he said.

For volunteers at the Mustard Seed, Oshiro is the glue.

"He's just an amazing man and he loves everybody. The worse off you are, the more he'll love you. That man has more patience than a doctor," said Kevin Bedell.

Another volunteer, called Miss Penny, described Oshiro as a gentle man with a kind soul.

"He has great wisdom. He's very laid back. He's a wonderful example," she said.

jlavoie@tc.canwest.com

VICTORIA LEADERSHIP WINNERS

Five others honoured at the sixth annual Victoria Leadership Awards:

- Charlayne Thornton-Joe: The Rotary Community Leadership Award, which recognizes community leaders who meet the Rotary test for the highest level of ethical behaviour and community leadership.

- David Burns: The University of Victoria Community Leadership Award, which acknowledges exemplary leadership in linking the University of Victoria and the community for greater public benefit.

- Katie Shaw: The Vancity Youth Award, which acknowledges an emerging leader in the community.

- Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre: The Victoria Foundation Community Leadership Award, which recognizes a charitable organization demonstrating exceptional community service and positive change.

- Laura Walsh: The Leadership Victoria Alumni Award, new this year, which applauds a graduate of the Leadership Victoria program who has enhanced the visibility, reputation and overall strength of the organization and demonstrated exemplary leadership.