Halifax area Superstores to support Feed Nova Scotia
Across Canada, the rising cost of living means that more people are turning to food banks to help keep themselves and their families fed. At the same time, food banks are also coping with rising costs in many key aspects of their operations. On top of two years of pandemic and a long winter, this means many local food banks are now in dire need of community support in order to continue to help feed growing numbers of hungry Canadians.
Loblaw Companies Limited is stepping up to help through the annual Spring Food Drive that launches this week. Loblaw stores across Canada, including local Atlantic Superstore, No Frills and Your Independent Grocer locations throughout Nova Scotia, will be collecting donations of food and funds for two weeks beginning March 31 through to the Easter weekend.
During the food drive, Atlantic Superstore locations in Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Sackville are collecting food and cash donations for Feed Nova Scotia.
Karen Theriault, Director of Development and Communications at Feed Nova Scotia, says food insecurity has been at crisis levels across Nova Scotia for decades. And just between August 2021 and February 2022, the rate of new people being supported by their member food banks for the first time has almost doubled.
“As we push for change that addresses the root causes of food insecurity, it’s critical we help make sure people have food today, and campaigns like this help us do that,” says Theriault. “We’re so grateful for the kindness and community spirit that we see time and time again among the staff and customers at Atlantic Superstore, NoFrills, and Your Independent Grocer stores across the province. When things are tough, it’s great to have friends you can count on. And the way they rally to support their neighbours is pretty incredible.”
We know how much impact food drives can have. The company’s 2021 Holiday Food Drive last December generated over $2.1 million in in-store cash donations and more than 2 million pounds of food for food banks across the country. In Nova Scotia, $83,994, and more than 70,000 pounds of food were donated to Feed Nova Scotia and local food banks in all parts of the province.
For those who are unsure of what to give, monetary donations are an easy and highly effective option. Cash provides the most flexibility for food banks to fill gaps in their operations wherever they are most needed.
“Nova Scotians are very community-minded. Even a two-dollar donation at the checkout goes a long way when many people contribute,” says Mark Boudreau, director, corporate affairs with Loblaw Atlantic. “Similarly, just one or two items added to your cart for the in-store donation bin become hundreds of pounds of food when the entire community gets involved.”
Along with monetary donations, food banks are most in need of healthy nonperishable items – the same items you would buy to stock your own pantry – such as wholegrain cereals, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauces, canned fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, baby formula and shelf-stable milk products.
“It’s a hard reality that many Nova Scotians are in need this spring. Atlantic Superstore is committed to helping ease food insecurity across the province by mobilizing our customers and colleagues,” says Boudreau. “If you are in a position to donate to the food drive, thank you in advance for your generosity.”
