Dozens and dozens of 12-feet blow-up Santas are lined up in a Halifax-area neighborhood for the third year in a row, in an effort to bring some Christmas cheer while raising money for Feed Nova Scotia.

Meagan Boudreau is one of number of residents of Colby South – Colby ‘North’ over the holidays – who helps organize and plan the initiative, which raised $55,000 in the first two years.

She tells us traffic is a bit slower this year but that is to be expected.

“The first year was kind of an anomaly with how crazy it was. The amount of popularity that we had,” says Boudreau.

“We’re still really excited about being able to raise money and bring some Christmas spirit to anyone who decides to take a trip own our way and see our Santas.”

Photo: Caitlin Snow/Acadia Broadcasting

Thousands raised

There are more than 100 Santas lining the streets of Colby South.

Residents of that part of town started the initiative in 2023 after seeing something similar on Instagram in a Toronto neighborhood.

When you walk or drive through the community, you can scan a QR code to donate to Feed Nova Scotia or drop off a food item.

The sign as you enter the Santa tour. Photo: Caitlin Snow/Acadia Broadcasting

The first year raised just over $40,000 and 2024 brought in $15,000; this year, two weeks in, they have raised about $1,000.

Boudreau says they realize that everyone is really busy this time of year and food insecurity is also hitting a lot more people than it was two years ago.

“We all know that charity has to begin at home, so there’s less money to give to other people. People need to hold on to their money, because things are so much more expensive this time of year,” explains Boudreau.

Despite not bringing in as much money so far, according to Boudreau, any dollar raised its $1 more than the charity would have had.

“So, we’re really happy to be able to continue raising money in any denomination to be able to donate to help with food insecurity in Nova Scotia,” adds Boudreau.

The Santas will be up until January 1.