February 13, 2025 · Posted by Ardelle Reynolds
Meals on Wheels provides emergency support for food program in Louisbourg
A flood at the Louisbourg Legion shut down the community's food program, which serves hundreds of meals a week
When a devastating flood at the Louisbourg Legion shut down the community’s food program, New Dawn Meals on Wheels was able to provide emergency meals to the most vulnerable community members the program serves.
The New Food Initiatives and Security project, which is run out of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62, operates a low-barrier food access program for seniors and others in the Louisbourg area who are struggling with affordability, transportation, and nutrition. It serves hundreds of meals each week.
The Legion suffered significant water damage from a burst pipe on December 30th, 2024, and was forced to suspend the much-needed food program.
“This is our most demanding and most challenging time,” Eva MacKeigan, the Legion’s treasurer who also helps run the food security project told CBC News.
325 meals were prepared by New Dawn Meals on Wheels and delivered by Legion volunteers between January 23rd and February 6th, 2025 while the group was securing an alternate location to deliver programming while repairs are being made to the Legion building. Deliveries included some of Meals on Wheels clients’ favourite menu items including Shepherd’s Pie, Baked Chicken with Scalloped Potatoes, and Cabbage Rolls with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.
Meals were provided at no charge from the New Dawn Emergency Food and Essentials Fund, which is supported by contributions from the Province of Nova Scotia via the United Way of Cape Breton.
The New Dawn Emergency Fund was developed in February 2024 after recent climate emergencies including Hurricane Fiona and last year’s snowstorm, so that Meals on Wheels can deliver essential nutrition and other supports in challenging times.
New Dawn Meals on Wheels has distributed more than $30,000 in Urgent Food and Essentials Supports.
Please consider making a donation to New Dawn Meals on Wheels! With your help, we are providing affordable and nutritious meals for people in our community who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. Meals on Wheels delivers 20,000 meals each year. Your donation allows us to do even more to ensure those in need have access to nutritious meals.