FOOD SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

FEED NOVA SCOTIA’s immediate goal is to feed hungry people, and our Food Supply and Distribution department works six days a week to make that happen. In 2007/2008, FEED NOVA SCOTIA distributed 1.8-million kilograms of food, valued at $14.4-million to approximately 150 Member Agencies.

Our Member Agencies include local food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, school programs and other food programs throughout Nova Scotia. For a complete list of Member Agencies, please click here.

The food we distribute comes from a variety of sources, including:

•Food drives and individual and corporate donations

•Produce donated by farmers and wholesalers

•Reclaimed food from grocery stores or wholesalers

•Prepared food from hotels, hospitals and other sources

•National corporate donations distributed by Food Banks Canada.

ADVOCACY AND CLIENT SERVICES

While our immediate goal is to respond to people’s hunger, it is our ultimate goal to eliminate chronic hunger in Nova Scotia – and to alleviate poverty.

Advocacy and Client Services works with our member agencies and directly with those in need to address – and find solutions for – factors that contribute to hunger in our province.

Phone Helpline

Individuals struggling with food needs are often facing other challenges as well. These may include unemployment, disability, homelessness, mental health issues, etc. For this reason, FEED NOVA SCOTIA’s phone helpline exists to provide one-on-one telephone support and referral for callers seeking food and other kinds of assistance. Through this phone service, FEED NOVA SCOTIA staff and volunteers offer practical assistance and referrals to food banks and other community support agencies. They also offer a listening ear and lay counselling to those experiencing crisis situations or mental health challenges.

Advocacy

As part of our efforts to eliminate chronic hunger in our province, FEED NOVA SCOTIA works with other community-based organizations to raise awareness of key issues that contribute to hunger in Nova Scotia. We participate in forums and coalitions and speak out in support of hungry people. As members of Food Banks Canada, we play a national role in advocacy and policy development around hunger issues. To learn more visit, www.cafb.ca.

Central Registry

FEED NOVA SCOTIA’a central database helps us ensure equitable and efficient distribution of food assistance throughout the province. The database enables FEED NOVA SCOTIA and its member agencies to better identify and respond to needs in the community, ensuring that people receive the most appropriate support in the most timely manner. At the same time, use of this database reduces duplication of services among member agencies.

Christmas Support

Individuals and families experiencing financial hardship are often especially vulnerable during the holiday season. As part of our broader mission to alleviate poverty, FEED NOVA SCOTIA offers the following special Christmas programs:

Christmas Registry

Each Christmas, disadvantaged individuals and families can contact FEED NOVA SCOTIA to register to receive help during the holiday season. Their names, addresses and other relevant information are entered into a central Christmas registry and are confidentially matched with one of 80+ participating community organizations, churches and other charities who can offer Christmas support.

Christmas Hampers

During the 2007 holiday season, FEED NOVA SCOTIA supplied food and turkeys for approximately 6,000 Christmas hampers, which were distributed to families in need by community agencies such as Salvation Army Halifax, Beacon House Interfaith Society and Antigonish Community Food Bank. In this way, we helped more than 16,000 individuals, brightening the holidays for many households.

Adopt-A-Family

Through FEED NOVA SCOTIA’s Adopt-A-Family program, donors are matched with families experiencing hardship. This past Christmas, donors provides toys, clothing and other gifts for more than 400 families through this program.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

It takes more than food to feed the hungry. It costs $1 to ship every $14 worth of donated food. Our resource development department raises the funds that are crucial to getting food resources to those who need them.

It is also the goal of our resource development department to connect donors and the general public with meaningful ways to make a difference for hungry people.

Events

Our events team organizes a number of FEED NOVA SCOTIA signature events each year to generate the funds required for our food distribution efforts. Signature events include our Valentine’s Day event: The Oldie Wed Game, our annual Chair-a-tea Dinner & Auction, and Canstruction Nova Scotia: a design/build competition that showcases our provinces abundant talent, generosity and creative power.

FEED NOVA SCOTIA’s event team also works closely with corporate and community partners to support events held in support of our work. From large provincial food drives to employee workplace events, our events staff offers expertise and support.

Hunger Awareness

The first step in ending chronic hunger in our province is to educate the public about the scope of the problem. FEED NOVA SCOTIA works through print and web media to raise awareness of hunger issues in our province. Special activities are planned for June 6 of each year, which is National Hunger Awareness Day across Canada.

THE LEARNING KITCHEN

The Learning Kitchen is a unique 17-week training program that is part of our mission to eliminate chronic hunger by increasing employment opportunities for disadvantaged adults. The Learning Kitchen aims to help people escape the vicious cycle of low incomes, poverty and hunger. Students who graduate from the program develop hands-on experience in the fundamentals of food preparation, food safety and sanitation, kitchen systems and nutrition, with national certification upon graduation.  In 2007-2008, The Learning Kitchen graduated 18 students giving them the opportunity to gain the skills they needed to obtain employment in the food service industry.  As part of the training, students have the opportunity to give back to their communities with the preparation of 140 meals daily for a local soup kitchen and a meal program.

VOLUNTEERS

FEED NOVA SCOTIA simply couldn’t carry out our mission – feeding hungry people – without our dedicated army of volunteers! Our volunteer roster includes more than 600 individuals who regularly give of their time sorting food and produce in our warehouses, assisting with office administration and data entry and working at special events. A team of specially trained volunteers also offers lay counselling, information and support to clients in need through our phone helpline service. Our volunteers help us keep administrative costs low, ensuring that more of each dollar can go where it is really needed – feeding hungry people and working long-term to eliminate chronic hunger.

Interested in volunteering? Click here.