The fluorescent lights at the North End Community Food Centre shine a bit brighter this week. Volunteers sort through donations with renewed energy, knowing their shelves will stay stocked a little longer thanks to a substantial new investment from one of Canada’s banking giants.
Scotiabank announced yesterday a $500,000 contribution to the IWK Foundation to address rising food and financial insecurity across Nova Scotia – an issue that community workers say has reached alarming levels in recent months.
“We’re seeing families who’ve never needed help before,” explains Marlene Davidson, who runs the Halifax-area food bank. “People with decent jobs who still can’t make ends meet after paying rent and utilities. This funding couldn’t come at a more critical time.”
The donation targets what social service agencies describe as a “perfect storm” of economic pressures hitting Nova Scotian households. Provincial statistics show grocery prices have jumped nearly 11% year-over-year, while housing costs continue their upward climb, especially in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The bank’s contribution will support multiple initiatives, including emergency food relief, financial literacy programs, and sustainable community gardens in underserved neighborhoods. Notably, 40% of the funds will be directed specifically toward child and youth food security programs.
Scott Wilson, Scotiabank’s Regional Vice President for Atlantic Canada, explained the motivation behind the sizeable gift. “As a bank, we witness firsthand the financial struggles many Nova Scotians face daily. This isn’t just corporate citizenship – it’s investing in the fundamental wellbeing of communities where our employees live and work.”
The funding comes amid troubling trends. Feed Nova Scotia reported a 22% increase in food bank usage over the past year, with nearly one-third of recipients being children. Meanwhile, a recent Dalhousie University study found that 23% of Nova Scotian households experienced some form of food insecurity in 2023.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, director of Dalhousie’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, notes that financial and food insecurity are increasingly intertwined. “What we’re seeing is that financial literacy gaps compound food access problems. People struggling with budgeting and credit management often make food-related sacrifices first.”
The IWK Foundation, primarily known for supporting children’s healthcare, has expanded its mandate in recent years to address social determinants of health. Jennifer Gillivan, President and CEO of the IWK Foundation, emphasized this broader approach.
“We recognize that a child’s health extends beyond medical treatment,” Gillivan said. “When families face food insecurity, it impacts children’s development, school performance, and long-term wellbeing. These issues don’t exist in isolation.”
The announcement has been welcomed by community advocates, though some note that corporate donations alone cannot solve structural issues.
Mark Cunningham, executive director of Feed Nova Scotia, expressed mixed feelings. “This donation will absolutely make a difference in many lives, and we’re grateful. But we need to have harder conversations about why food banks exist at all in a wealthy country like Canada.”
The initiatives funded will include a mobile food bank serving rural communities, school breakfast programs, and financial coaching for families struggling with debt. A portion will also support Indigenous-led food security projects, including a community greenhouse in Millbrook First Nation.
Provincial officials acknowledge the severity of the situation. Nova Scotia’s Minister for Community Services, Brendan Maguire, attended the announcement and pointed to complementary government efforts.
“The province has increased support for food banks and school nutrition programs, but partnerships like this one multiply our impact,” Maguire said. “No level of government or sector can solve this alone.”
For families like the Mitchells of Dartmouth, the expanded programs offer tangible relief. Sarah Mitchell, a single mother of two who works full-time as a personal care worker, started using food support services last winter when heating costs spiked.
“I never thought I’d need a food bank,” Mitchell said. “But between rent increases and groceries, something had to give. The financial coaching program helped me restructure my debt payments and create a sustainable budget.”
Critics point out that while corporate philanthropy provides necessary immediate relief, it doesn’t address root causes of food and financial insecurity, such as affordable housing shortages, precarious employment, and insufficient social support programs.
Community worker Emily Torres sees both sides. “Every donation matters to the people we serve today. But we also need policy changes that make these donations less necessary tomorrow.”
As volunteer coordinator Joan Wyatt arranges cans on the North End Community Food Centre shelves, she reflects on the larger picture.
“The generosity is wonderful, but what would be even better is if our neighbors didn’t need to choose between paying bills and buying groceries. That’s the real goal we should all be working toward.”
