News that Mel Boutilier is leaving the food bank he founded 31 years ago is not sitting well with some charities, clients, volunteers, and supporters of the organization.

The 86-year-old has implied that he is being removed from his job as executive director of the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank in Halifax, prompting some of the organization’s long-time supporters to withdraw their support.

"I don't know if I'd call it pushed out, they probably thought they were doing what they needed to do, but the way they did it was a bad thing. I wanted to have a happy time to retire," says Boutilier, who has volunteered with the food bank for 31 years.

Helen Williams is a former volunteer and client of Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank. She is upset Boutilier is leaving and even more frustrated that he is not leaving on his own terms.

“That's his life, that's his legacy, he built that from the ground up,” says Williams.

“He should be allowed to leave with his dignity and his respect because that's what he deserves. He dedicated his whole life to helping others.”

Despite repeated attempts, no one from Parker Street would speak to CTV News about the matter.

However, the organization said in an email that “in order to continue to serve our community and help those in need, PSFFB has started to shift to a team-based approach. This approach will build on the solid foundation established by Boutilier…”

Local businessman and philanthropist Colin MacDonald has known Boutilier for more than 15 years. He says Boutilier’s resignation is a major loss for the food bank.

“I know a number of businesses around town, including by my brother Micky, who are staunch supporters of Mel Boutilier,” says MacDonald.

MacDonald says he admires the well-known humanitarian who has devoted more than three decades of his life to Parker Street and the people who use it.

“Mel is an icon, Mel is Parker Street,” says MacDonald. “If you're going to continue with Parker Street, you need to make sure that Mel is happy with the process.”

MacDonald says it is because of Boutilier that he has worked with the food bank in the past.

Boutilier has received several emails and letters since announcing his resignation on Wednesday. He says many people are expressing disappointment in how the situation has been handled, while others have indicated they will no longer be supporting Parker Street. 

MacDonald admits he doesn’t like what he has heard about the situation, and he will need to be convinced as to why he should continue to donate to Parker Street.

“Personally I'm shocked,” says MacDonald. “It’s going to take quite a bit to get me to come forward and support Parker Street, because I'm not sure what's going on.”

Boutilier will officially step down on May 2, but will chair the organization's annual general meeting on May 11.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster