A Christmas tradition born from a spontaneous act of kindness in 2010 has grown into a vital lifeline for families in Nova Scotia.
By the end of Friday night, Eastport Financial’s Turkey Drive will deliver full Christmas dinners to over 750 families, marking its 15th year and highlighting the increasing need for support across the province.
The initiative began when Eastport CEO Jonathan Lewis bought 1,000 turkeys in one day after hearing a woman’s story at a gas station about struggling to afford a holiday dinner.
This act of compassion has since evolved into a province-wide effort involving hundreds of volunteers and partnerships with organizations such as Street Connection and Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.
Lewis reflects on the growing demand: “Fifteen years ago, it was primarily people in extreme need. Now we see middle-class families who can’t cover all their expenses, let alone host a holiday meal.”
The Turkey Drive now spans rural communities from Yarmouth to Digby and even includes a satellite team in Newfoundland. Volunteers distribute not just turkeys but complete meals, including vegetables, stuffing, and dessert, bringing joy and relief to those who need it most during the holiday season.
“Too many people dread Christmas because of financial strain,” says Lewis. “Our goal is to ease that burden, even if just for one day.”
Lewis also says this is the first year it went international. “One of our employees is based out of South Carolina and didn’t want to be left out so we helped support them and now meals are being delivered south of our border for the first time ever,”. Lewis said.
