Article content“The main reason this initiative came to be was recognizing the large distance people in rural communities need to travel,” said Victoria Lomond, co-chair of the Along the Shore CHB. ”People who need access to a food bank, but some cannot travel there, which isn’t acceptable. Thanks to the help of their neighbors and volunteers, they can order the food they need and have it brought to them, without costing too much gas for the volunteer.” Article content Maia Sloan packing a grocery order on behalf of West Colchester Neighbours Helping Neighbours program. Photo by ContributedArticle contentLomand says that by supporting the Colchester Food Network with transportation funds, there has been more support for their efforts and help for people who need it from neighbors. Article content“Because I travel so much each day, I’m always helping others by picking up and delivering whatever they need,” said Lomond. “Since COVID, I feel that sense of community has become more important, and I make an effort to reach out to help however I can. We can be so isolated in rural communities, so this way of life has been a fantastic thing for me.”Article contentArticle contentDeviller is more than happy to help those who require their services, but notes that recently, people are requiring them more than ever. Article content“We should’ve seen the numbers go down by this time of year,” she said. “More people are being forced into poverty, even if a household has two jobs. I think it’s only going to get worse approaching winter, which concerns me.”Article contentGreater food literacy is one of the goals DeViller has on her mind when it comes to this issue. One project currently underway is the creation of a community garden on the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Complex in Bible Hill. Article content“We currently have three-quatres of an acre of property that has been turned into a garden,” said DeViller. “Next year, we are hoping to use more than half of that garden to create plots for the community, which anyone can access freely. Hopefully, this will help people avoid needing the emergency service so often.” Article contentAnyone interested can visit their website to find more information on how to access their services or to volunteer. Article content Shelly DeViller, the executive director of the Colchester Food Network, pictured last January. Photo by File /Aidan RawdingArticle content
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: How volunteers bring food to rural areas
