‘Devastating blow’: Flood at Louisbourg legion branch shuts down food program

The unexpected closure of the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Louisburg, N.S. has left a significant impact on the community, especially on the food program that feeds hundreds of individuals. Eva MacKeigan, the branch’s treasurer and a staff member of the New Food Initiatives and Security project, expressed her concerns about the closure due to a burst pipe causing water damage in the building.

According to MacKeigan, this closure couldn’t have come at a worse time as it is their busiest period of the year. With the holiday season approaching and many community members struggling to make ends meet due to higher power bills and seasonal job losses, the demand for their food program has been steadily increasing. The program caters to hundreds of individuals every week and supported between 1,200 and 1,400 people just in the month of December.

The impact of the legion’s closure on the community is devastating, as MacKeigan mentioned that they will not have a space to run their programs until the repairs are completed. A damage assessment is scheduled for next week, and the reopening of the legion remains uncertain.

The food program was initially launched with a $200,000 grant from the Nova Scotia government to address food insecurity in the region. Steven MacNeil, a local councillor, emphasized the importance of such programs in a community where a significant number of individuals require support. He has reached out to MacKeigan and hopes that the regional council can assist in restarting the program.

Despite the challenges posed by the legion’s closure, MacKeigan highlighted the outpouring of support from the community. Local plumbers and contractors immediately responded to the flooding, leaving their paying jobs to help with the situation. The sense of unity and solidarity among community members has been overwhelming, providing a glimmer of hope during this difficult time.

As the community awaits updates on the legion’s reopening, efforts are being made to ensure that the food program can resume its operations and continue to support those in need. The unexpected closure may have presented challenges, but the resilience and compassion of the community are shining through in the face of adversity.