Tens of thousands of Nova Scotians turn to food banks each year in times of need, but a supply shortage this summer threatens to leave some without enough to eat.
Individuals and organizations across the province — including Dalhousie — are now taking action to try and ensure that doesn't happen.
Across Dal, many individuals and groups have been responding to an appeal from last week, with the organization announcing it was “critically low” on food. And now, several departments have come together to coordinate a university-wide food drive to help raise donations for the organization, which distributes food to a member network of 147 food banks, meal programs and shelters across the province.
“Dalhousie has a long history of coming together to support our communities, and this is no exception,” says Dal President Richard Florizone. “Groups and departments across campus have risen to the challenge and developed a plan to make it simple for the Dal community to get involved.”
Donations to Feed Nova Scotia, which helps feed nearly 20,000 people each month, tend to spike during holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving but are needed year round, as the current shortage illustrates.
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The Dal-wide food drive took shape late last week as several departments — including the President’s Office, the Office of Advancement, Facilities Management, Dal Libraries, and Financial Services — worked together to come up with a plan to help.
Faculties and departments across the university are being asked to promote the food drive within their respective areas, encouraging donations at food boxes being dropped off at more than 20 buildings across all four campuses this week. (See a full list of locations .)
The university hopes to collect a metric tonne of donations. Dal Facilities Management will come around to collect the donations — July 21 in Truro (during ) and July 22 in Halifax — with one of its largest trucks, which will then drop them off at Feed Nova Scotia’s warehouse in Halifax.
“We're thrilled to be able to lend a hand — and a truck — to help out with this initiative," says Keith Laybolt, supervisor of central stores, transportation and moving services with Facilities Management.
Reaching out, lending a hand
Dal’s Office of Advancement has also reached out to 18,000 local alumni for support, and organized drop-off locations at the Student Union Building and at Office Interiors in Dartmouth.
Sheila Blair-Reid, director of alumni engagement, says Dal stands to make a big impact given its size. Â
"I urge all of our faculty and staff across the university to look through their cupboards or pick up a few items from the grocery store," says Blair-Reid. "Together we can do a lot to help those in need."
Among the items Feed Nova Scotia says it currently needs are canned meat, soups and stews, canned vegetables, cereal, pasta and pasta sauce. It also accepts .
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