Supporting families every step of the way: Island Pregnancy Centre

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At the Island Pregnancy Centre, in Summerside, PEI supporting parents and their children is at the heart of everything they do. Their team takes care of anyone who may be needing support through their pregnancy and after they have children up to 24 months, providing services from breast feeding and car seat classes to peer support counselling for pregnancy loss.

But in recent years, a new challenge emerged. After Covid, the centre saw that many families were struggling to get basic necessities, especially baby formula, which became harder to find and more expensive. They also heard from new clients that access to food was a big concern. Making sure families had enough to eat quickly became a priority.

“Having seen the rise in need for food and people not being able to afford basic needs, we wanted to make sure we were able to provide that so we knew families were well taken care of,” Tammy McKinnon, executive director of the centre, shared.

That’s when they connected with Second Harvest and opened up a food pantry. Since February 2025, they have rescued over 524 lbs of fresh produce, baby formula and snacks for older children.

“Because we were constantly trying to refer people to places where they couldn’t access it easily or can’t access enough, it’s made a huge difference to be able to welcome people in and offer food,” Tammy said.

The impact has been significant. Families working minimum wage jobs or raising children on their own often face the greatest food insecurity. Partnering with Second Harvest allows the centre to support over 500 families in Summerside and Charlottetown.

“We’re trying to come alongside people who are facing a lot of challenges in a lot of different areas, while they’re trying to keep their children safe. While they’re trying to navigate a pregnancy. It can be challenging to know how to best come alongside someone,” Tammy shared.

Providing food and baby formula has allowed the centre's support to go even further, as they help families navigate a variety of different challenges while giving them the care and safe, welcoming space they need to feel supported and valued.