How to help Dartmouth

This year my office is supporting the work of the Dartmouth Meals on Wheels program, which serves affordable, nutritious meals to hundreds of house-bound seniors. Meals on Wheels also serves as a check-in for Dartmouth seniors who are otherwise isolated in their homes. In the time of COVID-19, and with winter at our doorstep, seniors are among those at the highest risk.

Please read this story about how Dartmouth Meals on Wheels mobilized during COVID-19 from the Bhayana Family Foundation Invisible Champion Awards.

“During Covid we took it upon ourselves to safely visit seniors because we noticed a majority of them were becoming scared, lonely and showed signs of depression. It was so sad to watch. With-in a few weeks, their eyes had that sparkle back, now they had someone they could trust…and who would listen and give good advice. We brought them books, magazines, chocolate, sweets, fresh flowers, fresh fruit and a joke and a laugh…we even had a guitar player tag along for 4 weeks just to add a little more excitement.”

Everyone’s costs go up in winter, but for seniors who live on a fixed income and need to pay for snow clearing and transportation in addition to heat and other expenses, finding enough to cover the costs of meals can be difficult. We invite you to please consider supporting food for homebound seniors in Dartmouth if you are able. Meals range from $8 to $10, or $40 for one week.

We understand this year is going to be more difficult for many in our community. MOW operates through the Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre at 45 Ochterloney Street; you can donate by cash, cheque, or credit card over the phone 902-465-5578, or online. Just be sure to mention you want to direct the funds to the Meals on Wheels program.

Other groups and organizations

For a more complete list of organizations in Nova Scotia please visit 211 online.

Food

A local food bank. See listings here.

Margaret’s House: Provides free nutritious hot meals to adults in need within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Donate

Nourish Nova Scotia: Supports healthy food environments for children and youth. Nourish is on a mission to inspire every child in Nova Scotia to eat, enjoy and value food that fuels healthier people and a healthier environment. Donate

Housing

Adsum House: shelters and houses as many as 120 people each day and more than 300 persons in a year, at an Adsum location. Donate

Alice House: safe second-stage housing and supportive counselling for women and children in Nova Scotia. Donate

Holly House/Elizabeth Frye Society: eight (8) single occupancy rooms for women. Holly House offers a shared kitchen, common room, and two (2) bathrooms, plus in-house laundry facilities. The house provides safe, affordable housing for women for up to one year. Donate

HomeBridge Youth Society: six residential, youth caring facilities throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality and a school program. Donate

Out of the Cold Community Association: aims to serve people who can not readily access the existing shelter system due to various reasons, including mental health issues, barring from other shelters, couples who did not want to be separated and/or the increasing capacity issues experienced by other shelters. halifaxwintershelter@gmail.com

Welcome Housing: Provides housing support and trustee services for individuals in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Donate

Mental Health

Healthy Minds Cooperative: Peer-based mental health support for the public. Donate

Among Friends Social Club (via CMHA): responds to a common need for adults experiencing mental illness and mental health problems through access to programs that offer vital social support programming and activities aimed at community inclusion, creativity, recreation and leisure. Donate

Education

MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning: empowers youth between the ages of 12-19 by connecting passion with purpose through the arts. Donate

General

The Public Good Society of Dartmouth: works with partner agencies serving Dartmouth and to share our resources and knowledge to better understand and address complex social issues facing our community members. Donate

The North Grove: a dynamic community hub that offers programs, services and space for people to learn and connect through family support, food and friendship. Donate

Red Bear Connects Voice Mail: We assist people build their capacity by providing public education, inspiration, referrals, support, resources, friendly listening, peer support and free voice mail for people who are economically and socially disadvantaged in Nova Scotia. Donate

Veterans

Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada (aka VETS Canada): Exists to seek out and help homeless and at-risk veterans with a view to helping reintegrate them into civilian life. Donate