We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Nick Jennery of Feed Nova Scotia!
What is your role in food banking?
I am the Executive Director of Feed Nova Scotia – a provincial organization dedicated to providing food and program support to 145 food banks, meal programs and shelters across Nova Scotia
Describe a typical day in one word.
Inspiring
What was your inspiration to get involved in food banking?
I wanted to “scale up” my giving back to community, and Feed Nova Scotia offered the opportunity to make a difference at the provincial level
What is your greatest achievement in your current role?
Having a Team that operates beyond expectation and that consistently outperforms all previous years, through a culture of caring, innovation and self development
What is your greatest challenge in your current role?
Changing the public conversation so that everyone – from neighbours and the public sector, to government and the private sector, engage and align around community solutions
If you could have one wish granted that would address hunger in Canada what would it be?
That everyone realize that each of us can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. We can all – from kids to large organizations, create stories, and stories can change lives.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Song writer
If you could tell your younger self advice, what would it be?
Find that 15 seconds of outrageous courage when life gets uncomfortable or unknown … and jump in. The learning and experience will enrich your life and create oh so many opportunities
Who are your heroes? Fictional or real life
- Ella – the first 6 year old I met who walked into Feed Nova Scotia with a donation to help other families
- Jimmy Hendrix – For finding a way to unleash his talent, 50 years before his time
- Reinhold Messner – First man to climb Everest without oxygen because the medical community said it couldn’t be done
- Martin Luther King – For the letter he wrote in the Birmingham jail in 1963 … beautiful and insightful
- My brother – Because he does it better, and I can’t tell him that
- My Team at Feed Nova Scotia – they make me the best I have ever been
- The Dalai Lama – A kool big thinker
- Jake – because he said why should I have something when some people have nothing. It changed me profoundly
What is your idea of happiness?
Wishing the day would never end because the journey is so delicious and rich
What is your motto?
All you have in life are your stories, and if your stories are old … go get some new ones
Something quirky about you that others may not expect or know?
I love to respectfully share space with grizzlies in Alaska, because you get to see not only the most beautiful animal in the world, but yourself as you truly are.
Your theme song?
The Russion national anthem – best song ever, or
Fanfare for the Common Man by Emerson Lake and Palmer – try to doze off when its turned up to 11
Do you know a food bank or food banker that could be featured on our next Spotlight? Contact us at communications@foodbankscanada.ca.