Feed Nova Scotia is gearing up for a busy holiday season.
Communications Director Karen Theriault says volunteers are scrambling to help put food on the tables of those who are in need this Christmas.
She says the holidays, although a joyful time, put extra pressure on families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“1 in 6 households in Nova Scotia experience food insecurity,” Theriault says. “It’s the highest rate of food insecurity in all the provinces in Canada. It is a huge crisis anyway you look at it.”
The charity operates a Christmas Registry, a program that matches families who require extra support with organizations that can help.
Theriault estimates they’ll provide close to 7,000 turkeys and produce hampers this season with all the trimmings for a traditional dinner.
Many ways you can help this Christmas
A donation of $25 is enough to provide one turkey.
She adds there are so many other ways you can help make Christmas a little brighter.
“People can donate food, money, their time, and use their voice with compassion,” Theriault says.
You can sponsor a family with children through the Hearts for Christmas campaign, which ensures there is a gift under the tree and food on the table.
When you purchase wine through the Case of Compassion fundraiser with Bishop’s Cellar, 25 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the charity.
You can also gift someone with the chance to win the jackpot in their 50/50 raffle.
Theriault says a little can go a long way. A $2 donation means the charity can send out enough food for three meals.
“We know that food is provides physical nourishment in the moment, but it’s also about peace of mind, comfort, and that sense of knowing that you are not alone,” Theriault says. “There is such an incredible sense of kindness and community . . . we see that time and time again that people take care of each other. There is no better time than right now for that to shine through. Stretch out your arms, support your neighbours, and contribute to the cause through Feed Nova Scotia.”
Theriault adds helping Nova Scotians is something we can do all year, not just around the holidays.
She recommends pushing for more social change in addition to helping to provide meals.
“People are not food insecure because they don’t have enough food,” she says “They’re food insecure because they don’t have enough income and because the necessities of life are more than they can afford.”
Theriault believes affordable housing, cheaper childcare, and a living wage would make a huge difference.
Pandemic takes a toll
The pandemic has also had an impact on Feed Nova Scotia over the last twenty months.
Theriault says the charity stayed open through it all as Nova Scotians faced job losses and upheaval in all parts of life.
It has taught the charity that no matter what, they can weather any storm.
“People had our backs,” she says. “That just gave us a real sense of hope and inspiration.”
You can find out more on how to give on the Feed Nova Scotia Website.
