In North Sydney, Cape Breton, a food bank that once operated out of the old train station has grown into a vital community resource.
Its move into a former elementary school in 2019 gave the organization space to grow beyond a food bank. Today, they are providing more programs, resources, and services that support the community.
At the heart of this evolution is Stacy Ellis, General Manager of the North Sydney Food Bank. Her commitment to her hometown has helped reimagine what the food bank can be and how it can continue to serve North Sydney and beyond.
Rooted in community
Born and raised in North Sydney, Stacy knows the community well. "People are very friendly, and there's a strong sense of community," she says. "The community really supports all the different organizations that are here."
But like many regions, North Sydney faces significant challenges. With food insecurity and a growing number of low-income families and seniors, the demand for services from food banks has risen. And Stacy sees these struggles firsthand every day.
Turning opportunities into reality
Stacy joined the North Sydney Food Bank over three years ago, as its first full-time employee. At that time, the food bank could operate only one day a week, and many of the building spaces were underutilized.
Since then, a lot has changed.
Today, the food bank employs five full-time staff members. It is also supported by dozens of dedicated volunteers. “It takes a village of volunteers to keep everything moving,” says Stacy.
Together, they do everything from grocery and soup programs to clothing services, community garden initiatives, food education, and cooking classes. They also operate Cora's Place, a 19-unit affordable housing development for seniors located on the same site.
One of the most significant changes came in 2026 with the launch of the Community Choice Food Access Program, the first in Cape Breton.
A new model for food access
Previously, volunteers prepared food hampers and clients received whatever items were available. This often led to long wait times, sometimes outside in poor weather conditions. Clients also received food they may not have wanted and left carrying heavy packages home.
"We had no idea if people liked what we were giving them," Stacy explains.
Today, clients enter a welcoming waiting area and receive one-on-one assistance from volunteers. With the Community Choice Food Access Program, clients can shop for groceries much like they would in a traditional grocery store. With a points-based system, they can choose the foods and household essentials that best meet their needs.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive. "Our clients love having choices," says Stacy. “That's why it's so successful.”
The system has helped reduce waste and create a more positive experience for both clients and volunteers.
Powered by partnerships
None of this would be possible without community support. The Food Bank relies on volunteers, businesses, local organizations, government, and partners. Among those supporters is Nova Scotia Power's Grassroots Grants program.
While the food bank already had large walk-in coolers and freezers, those spaces weren't accessible to clients. To create a true grocery store-style experience, they wanted clients to be able to see and choose their own fresh and frozen foods. With support from the Grassroots Grants program, that vision became a reality.
"Because of the funding from Nova Scotia Power's Grassroots Grants program, we were able to buy a beautiful fridge and freezer combo. That really was a game changer for us," Stacy says. "Without partners, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. They allow us to keep growing and introducing new programs."
Clients can now browse refrigerated and frozen products just as they would in a grocery store, giving them greater choice, dignity, and independence.
What’s next for North Sydney Food Bank
The future of the North Sydney Food Bank is filled with opportunity. Plans include expanding the community garden through the addition of a greenhouse. The food bank also hopes to create a sustainable food forest and develop an event space to help support programs for years to come.
"The North Sydney Food Bank is always growing and adapting to meet the needs of our community," says Stacy.
Thanks to the dedication of its staff and volunteers, along with the support of its partners, the North Sydney Food Bank continues to evolve for its community. It proves that a food bank can be much more than a place to access food. It can be a place where an entire community comes together.
For more information about our Grassroots Grants, visit here.
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