Two Metro Museums Give Christmas Gift to Food Bank

When families open a food hamper from the Metro Food Bank this Christmas, they'll find an extra treat. The Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage is providing free family passes to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic or the Museum of Natural History.

Five thousand passes were donated by the Nova Scotia Museum to the Metro Food Bank Society-Nova Scotia this week, just in time for the holiday season.

"We were delighted to accept these passes and to be able to distribute this opportunity to so many families," said Dianne Swinemar, executive director of the Metro Food Bank-Nova Scotia. "What a great way to spend time with family over the Christmas season."

"Our museums are grateful for the ongoing support that we receive all year round from the community," said Calum Ewing, heritage division's director of operations. "This is just one way we can give something back."

Ewing estimates the potential value of the donation to be up to $50,000.

The passes will be distributed to thousands of metro families by the Metro Food Bank and its affiliate agencies. The passes entitle the family to one visit to either of the province's two Halifax museums before the end of February 2004.