Nova Scotia Schools Awarded Grants to Combat Food Insecurity

The Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund has awarded grants of $3,500 each to Fanning Education Centre/Canso Academy and East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy as part of its ongoing efforts to address childhood food insecurity in rural Nova Scotia. This year, the fund distributed over $100,000 to a total of 32 schools, enhancing access to food and essential supplies for students and their families.

Established in response to persistent levels of childhood food insecurity, particularly in rural areas, the fund aims to bridge the gap left by existing provincial school meal programs. Erika Rolston, the executive director of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, explained that the program evolved to support school-based free stores, which provide much-needed resources to students.

“The province of Nova Scotia was experiencing really high levels of childhood food insecurity,” Rolston said. Originally, the fund was intended to enhance meal programs in schools. However, as provincial support for these meal initiatives increased, the focus shifted towards supporting the free store activities that have become common in many schools.

These free stores are strategically located in accessible areas within schools, allowing students to discreetly obtain items such as food, hygiene products, and school supplies. “The idea behind free stores is that students can pick up whatever they need, whether it’s school supplies, hygienic supplies, or snacks to take home,” Rolston noted.

Grant Distribution and Future Plans

The fund launched its inaugural grant round in 2024 and has since completed its second of a planned four-year program. Each year, the fund has successfully raised and distributed just over $100,000. The funding is sourced from private donations, foundation support, and fundraising efforts linked to Dave Gunning‘s concert tours. A significant contributor is the J and W Murphy Foundation, which has provided between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.

In 2024, demand for the program exceeded expectations, resulting in over 80 schools applying for funding. To maximize the impact, the grant amounts were adjusted from an initial target of $5,000 to $3,500 per school. Grants were awarded to more than 30 schools that year. Due to the overwhelming response, the fund did not issue a new call for applications in 2025. Instead, it allocated funds to schools from the existing applicant pool.

In instances where municipalities contributed funding but lacked applicant schools, Rolston collaborated with SchoolsPlus to identify high-need schools in those regions. She emphasized that initiatives like the Zero Hunger Fund are vital in rural Nova Scotia, where access to food can be limited. “Most people living in rural Nova Scotia may or may not be aware that they’re living in a food desert. We are not doing our future generations any favours by allowing them to go to school hungry,” Rolston stated. “The kids are the future. So we need to make sure that they’re fed well, so that they can be present for their education.”

Looking forward, the Rural Communities Foundation plans to engage municipalities again for contributions, with hopes of significantly increasing the fund size in 2026. They aim to open a new application process in the fall, allowing schools sufficient time to assess their needs for the academic year. The foundation is also exploring additional funding avenues, including a potential provincial Feeding Communities Fund, which could extend support to schools not reached during earlier grant rounds.

Donations to the Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund can be made through CanadaHelps, with tax receipts issued for contributions exceeding $10. This initiative represents a crucial step in addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity among students in Nova Scotia, ensuring that all children have access to the resources they need to thrive academically and personally.