Don’t know where to donate this Christmas? Think local

The holiday season is a time for giving. So this season, why not give back to your community?

There are many well-known national and international charities that ask for support around the holiday season. Across Nova Scotia there are many smaller organizations that also need support.

The Signal came up with a list of local groups that help the people, and furry friends, in our communities.

Feed Nova Scotia

Feed Nova Scotia is asking for $25 donations to provide a turkey for a family’s Christmas dinner. In addition, signing up for the monthly giving program is a great option because “a lot of the support does come in at Christmas, but really hunger is there all throughout the year,” says Karen Theriault, director of development and communications for Feed Nova Scotia.

If you can’t give money, they are also happy to accept perishable and non-perishable food donations all across the HRM at Walmart, Sobey’s and Superstores or at the Feed Nova Scotia office at 213 Bedford Highway.

Right now their stock of canned fruit and vegetables is running low, but they will accept any items that people want to donate.

Adsum for women and children

Adsum is a shelter that offers services for women, families, youth and LGBTQ+ persons during periods of homelessness. They shelter up to 80 people every day at their four Halifax locations, and are always looking for donations to ensure they are giving people the care they need.

This holiday season they are asking for new items such as gift cards, clothing, toys and homeware items so the mothers they shelter have a chance to give gifts to their children. They ask for the items to be unwrapped so each parent can choose the gifts and wrap them up themselves. There is a full list of gift ideas on their website. 

Bide Awhile

Bide Awhile is a humane no-kill animal shelter that cares for around 100 homeless cats and dogs at all times. They take in unwanted or stray animals and cover the cost of vet bills until the animals are adopted.

They are asking for donations of any size to cover the costs of spaying and neutering and any other costs associated with housing animals. Food, supplies and money is always needed, says Darrold Gould, executive director. “The everyday expense of running a shelter is huge.”

They ask for people to hold off on adopting animals until after the holiday season is over to make the transition into a home easier for the animals.

Metro Care and Share

The Metro Care and Share scholars program helps high school students fund their post-secondary education.

“Right now we do need financial support,” says Solitha Shortte, vice-executive director, “but because some people can’t give financial support we are also looking for mentors or people who can give up their time in the form of tutoring for support outside of the classroom.”

They’ve been around for nearly two years and have three students in school on full scholarships, seven students that are being sponsored and 60 other students they help with mentoring and emergency funding. They also host fundraising events throughout the year.