A community pantry in Dartmouth is helping Nova Scotia’s veterans struggling with the high cost of living.

The Veteran Community Pantry was started by retired military veteran Jim Lowther and his wife, Debbie Lowther, last year to provide support to veterans and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Ever since its opening, the pantry has distributed almost 16,000 pounds of food to veterans in its first year.

Jim and Debbie Lowther’s community pantry in Dartmouth has been set up using a grocery store model and allows its members, who are veterans, to take items based on credits determined by their household size. The grocery store setup helps maintain a sense of dignity and enables veterans to choose the foods that work for them and their families. The Veteran Community Pantry has seen a growing demand from fellow veterans who may be struggling. Of the nearly 16,000 pounds of food given out so far, about 6,000 pounds have gone out this year alone.

Jim served in the military for fifteen years and wanted to help veterans facing mental and financial challenges. The couple shared that many veterans arrive feeling nervous but soon realize that the pantry is a welcoming, judgment-free place, and they often leave feeling more supported and at ease.

Source: Jennifer Heudes, CTV News