We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Bruce McRae from Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank in Iqakuit, Nunavut.

What is your role in food banking?
I am the former president of Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank and committed volunteer. I have been involved with food insecurity, in some capacity or another, for over a decade.

Describe a typical day in one word.
Fulfilling.

What was your inspiration to get involved in food banking?
Food banking ensures that I stay connected to my community.

What is your greatest achievement in your current role?
We recently piloted a micro-economic initiative providing vouchers for bullets and gas to improve access to culturally-relevant food hunted locally. It was a hit with our clients! Now we are working on making it scalable and more sustainable.

What is the greatest challenge in your current role?
It is really challenging to handle the logistics of our food bank where much of the year can be dark, windy and cold – preparing for a distribution means moving over a tonne of food. But if our clients can make it to our distribution, we try to make sure we’re there to meet them with food. 

If you could have one wish granted that would address hunger in Canada, what would it be?
There should be more awareness that people don’t choose to be food insecure, or in poverty. I wish we could actually address the root causes of economic suffering.

What talent would you most like to have?
I am not very handy (i.e. repair / fixing things up), and I sure appreciate my friends that are.

If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Be patient. Things take time, and when you wait things often get better.

Who are your heroes? Fictional or real life.
My heroes are people I see who strive to make the world around them better. I try to emulate them.

What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness is having time to watch life go by and just taking it in.

What is your motto?
I try to show by my actions, not just my words that I support or believe in something.

What’s something quirky about you that others may not expect or know?
I dabbled in urban farming with sheep, chickens and ducks. I would like to do more of this.

What’s your theme song?
My spouse says it should be “Flight of the Bumblebee” – I’m a hard working busy bee.

Do you know a food bank or food banker that could be featured on our next Spotlight? Contact us at communications@foodbankscanada.ca.