Food bank usage rises as Maritime communities get creative about helping

Feed Nova Scotia says the demand for food support over the holidays is up 20 per cent in some communities this year compared to last, butnew, innovative programs are popping up in the Maritimes to help out.

Holly Johnson was shocked last summer when her son told her his friend didn't have enough to eat at home.

"My little boy was saying, 'Mom, what are we going to do about this?'" she said.

The mother in St. Andrews, N.B. decide to form a team and open a food bank for the small community.

• St. Andrews Food Bank launches card distribution program

But as they were looking for a location to set up shop, they quickly realized how the operating costs would add up. So instead of handing out food, they decided to distribute grocery store gift cards.

"Every single dollar that's coming in is literally going to help someone directly here in the community," Johnson said.

They now have 40 families who depend on the gift cards for support, and as word spreads, so do the requests for help. Johnson says its a great solution for other small communities.

"Just jump in, that's what we did. We knew there was a need."

Farmers Markets

In Nova Scotia, Jessica Wall was working on her honours thesis in Wolfville when she teamed up with the town's food bank and pitched an idea. Clients were handed farmers market coupons to buy whatever they needed.

• Wolfville Local Food Bucks Program helps families in need

"One of the things I wanted to focus on with my program was choice and dignity," she said of the six week trial. "People do need food but they also need love and support and connection."

The program was so successful, she says she's now in talks with Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia to implement the program in more towns in the future.

'Very inspriational'

The head of Feed Nova Scotia is applauding the efforts of Wall and Johnson.

The organization distributes food to 147 different food banks and groups in Nova Scotia, making sure to fill in any gaps they may have.

Nick Jennery, the executive director, says about one in 21 people in the province are registered at a food bank, and the number keeps growing.

He says while groups are working hard to provide food, he's challenging local and provincial governments to stop studying the problem and start taking action to prevent it.

"Let's put some real milestones out there," he said. "Let's obligate those involved to get something done by this time next year."