Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® Unites to Support Community Food Banks Across the Province
Community support was on full display as 70 Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR) members came together for their REALTORS Care® Day, volunteering simultaneously across the province. Together, volunteers helped local food banks strengthen food security and support individuals and families facing financial hardship.
At 31 locations across Nova Scotia, REALTOR® volunteers collected food and monetary donations for numerous organizations, including the Glace Bay Food Bank Society, St. Paul’s Family Resource Institute Food Bank and the Bridgewater and Area Interchurch Food Bank. Together, their efforts resulted in the collection of more than 4,000 pounds of food and over $7,000 in monetary donations, helping replenish food supplies and support critical resources for organizations addressing food security in communities across Nova Scotia.
“Food insecurity doesn’t take a season off, and while many people think of supporting their local food bank during the holidays, the need continues throughout the entire year,” said a representative from one of the participating food banks. “Initiatives like this not only help keep shelves stocked during a time when donations can be lower, but also raise important awareness of the ongoing need in our communities.”
Access to nutritious food is an important part of housing stability. For households facing rising living costs, food assistance can help ease financial pressures, allowing families to direct more of their limited resources toward housing and other essential expenses. By supporting community food banks that work alongside shelters, housing organizations and other social service providers, REALTORS® are helping strengthen the network of supports that enables individuals and families to remain safely housed during times of need.
The donations collected during NSAR’s REALTORS Care® Day will help its charity partners continue delivering important programs and services. For example, the St. Paul’s Family Resource Institute Food Bank provides emergency food hampers to community members in need, with clients able to receive up to two weeks’ worth of food once a month. The organization also operates a community garden, with surplus produce contributing to the food bank and other community programs. The Glace Bay Food Bank Society provides monthly food hampers alongside daily hot meals, helping ensure people in need can access both emergency food support and prepared meals. Together, the organizations supported by NSAR provide an essential lifeline for thousands of Nova Scotians each year.
“Seeing people stop by throughout the day with food and monetary donations was a wonderful reminder of just how generous and caring our communities are,” shared a REALTOR® volunteer. “It was really rewarding to connect with people and support a cause that directly benefits our local communities.”
Through this REALTORS Care® Day and beyond, NSAR demonstrates how REALTORS® can make a meaningful difference in their communities. Beyond their REALTORS Care® Day, NSAR members support community needs year-round through charitable initiatives, including ongoing fundraising and awareness efforts for Feed Nova Scotia. Since 2012, REALTORS® in Nova Scotia have raised more than $37,000 and collected over 2,200 kilograms of food for local food banks through NSAR projects. NSAR has also recently selected Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia as its charity of choice for the next three years, further expanding its support for initiatives that help Nova Scotians access safe, stable and affordable housing. By supporting organizations that help meet essential needs like food security, NSAR members are helping build stronger, healthier communities where more individuals and families have the stability they need to thrive.
