Spring Food Drive tackles growing need

Local Superstore to support Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank

Across Canada, the rising cost of living means that more people are having to turn to food banks to 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.

Loblaw Companies Limited is stepping up to help through the annual Spring Food Drive that launches this week. Local Atlantic Superstore, Your Independent Grocer and No Frills locations across the province are collecting donations of food and funds for two weeks beginning March 31 through to the Easter weekend.

Atlantic Superstore in Bridgewater is collecting donations for the Bridgewater Interchurch Food Bank, while Sam's No Frills will support the New Germany Area Food

Bank. The Liverpool Superstore is supporting the Queen's County Food Bank, and Your Independent Grocer locations in Hubbards, Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg are also participating in the drive in support of food banks in their own communities.

“As we look forward to warmer days ahead, the reality is that the need for food banks remains high coming out of the winter months, especially given the challenges of the current economic environment,” says Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada. “That's why we are so grateful for generous partners like Loblaw Companies Ltd. who step forward year after year to support our neighbours in need with initiatives like the Spring Food Drive.”

For those who are unsure of what to give, monetary donations are an easy and highlyeffective 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 $2 donation at the checkout goes a long way when many people contribute,” says Mark Boudreau, director, corporate affairs with Loblaw Atlantic. “It's a hard reality that many Nova Scotians are in need this spring. If you are able to donate, thank you in advance for your generosity.”

Along with monetary donations, food banks are most in need of healthy non-perishable 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.

Loblaw'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 local food banks in all parts of the province.