Mayor Mike Savage has issued a challenge to Halifax's area business districts.
He's encouraging them to fill a stocking with items that can be bought from stores in their areas. Those stockings will then be auctioned off in support of Shelter Nova Scotia.
"We're all trying to figure out ways to support local retail," Savage told NEWS 95.7's The Rick Howe Show.
"And especially, as we head into the winter, to make sure we don't have people on the street who have no place to go," he added.
Savage hoping once people find out what items are in the stockings, they might be inspired to buy gifts from local stores to put under their Christmas trees.
"I have actually had people say to me, 'I don't really know what's available for gifts that are local,'" Savage said. "A lot of people are in the same boat, they want to support our local economy."
Shelter Nova Scotia operates six facilities and supports over 1,300 people a year.
Santa Rissesco 🎅 shops downtown Dartmouth businesses to rise to @MikeSavageHFX ‘s Local Stuff Challenge in support of @ShelterNS All items featured also give back to community. #stuffit2039 pic.twitter.com/ljG8zRDak7
— Downtown Dartmouth (@DT_Dartmouth) December 3, 2020