Schools in Nova Scotia Receive $3,500 Grants to Combat Hunger

Two schools in Nova Scotia, the Fanning Education Centre/Canso Academy and the East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, each received a grant of $3,500 to support their initiatives aimed at alleviating food insecurity among students. This funding is part of a broader effort by the Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund, which distributed over $100,000 to a total of 32 schools across rural communities this year.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Rural Communities

The establishment of the Zero Hunger Fund was a direct response to enduring levels of childhood food insecurity in Nova Scotia, particularly in rural areas. Erika Rolston, executive director of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, explained that the fund was created to fill gaps that persisted even after the expansion of provincial school meal programs. “The province of Nova Scotia was experiencing really high levels of childhood food insecurity,” Rolston stated.

Originally, the fund was intended to support school meal programs, but as provincial involvement increased, its focus shifted. “Our fund is meant to support the free store activities that are happening in most schools across Nova Scotia,” Rolston added, highlighting the need to adapt to the changing landscape of food access.

Free stores, typically located in accessible areas within schools, allow students to discreetly pick up necessary items, including food, hygienic supplies, and school materials. Rolston emphasized the importance of this model: “The idea behind free stores is students can go and pick up whatever they need, whether it’s school supplies, hygienic supplies, food or snacks to take home.”

Funding and Future Goals

Launched in 2024, the fund has completed its second grant round and plans to follow through with additional rounds in 2026 and 2027. Each year, the fund aims to raise and distribute approximately $100,000, sourced from private donations, foundation support, and fundraising 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, with over 80 schools applying for funding. To accommodate as many applicants as possible, grant amounts were adjusted from an initial target of $5,000 to $3,500 per school, resulting in grants being awarded to more than 30 institutions. Due to overwhelming interest, a new call for applications was not issued in 2025; instead, funding was allocated from the existing applicant pool.

Rolston noted that programs like the Zero Hunger Fund are vital in rural areas, where food access 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,” she asserted. “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 ahead, the Rural Communities Foundation plans to seek further contributions from municipalities and aims to significantly expand the fund by 2026. Rolston indicated that a new application process is expected to open in the fall, allowing schools to assess their needs for the academic year. The foundation is also exploring additional funding opportunities, including a potential provincial Feeding Communities Fund, which could help schools that were not reached in earlier grant rounds.

Donations to the Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund can be made through CanadaHelps, with tax receipts issued for contributions over $10. This initiative continues to play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity and supporting the well-being of students across Nova Scotia.