(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Local Improvements

Co-op Week helps fund Sustainable Communities announcement

Oct 24, 2022 | 5:17 PM

Co-op Week is celebrated throughout Canada every year, as a time to reflect on the contributions the co-operative sector has made to the lives of Canadians and celebrate the impact that co-operatives have in our communities.

It was celebrated last week, October 16-21.

This year, for Prairie North Co-op, it helped fund its Sustainable Communities grant, by putting a special focus on its people by sharing member stories and wrapping up each day with a video that features their greatest asset: the people.

The fund’s purpose is to support capital projects and new programs that will enhance the quality of life for the people in the communities and surrounding regions.

It is also established each year based on gross sales.

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In 2022, the allocation was $25,000 to support the development of communities through capital projects, by either building, expanding and improving facilities or through new programs, by developing and implementing new programs that support people in their communities.

General Manager Terry Tremblay told northeastNOW that this is what their Co-op is about and it can’t be done without their customers.

“The more support we have, the bigger impact, the more good we can do in the community if it’s relevant. As long as our business is growing and we’re vibrant, then we can create good places to shop, good places to work, have great benefits and return equity and profits to our members and contribute to all the meaningful charities in the community.”

Successful applicants include Kelvington Walking Trails, Melfort Minor Football, Naicam Pickleball Club and the Star City Library Learning Project.

Funds for a wheelchair-accessible washroom will go to Kelvington, while funds for a booth will go to Melfort, funds for a windbreak, benches and equipment shed for a pickleball court will go to Naicam and funds for equipment will go to Star City.

Tremblay added this time of year provided a better window to give money to what was most needed.

“We recognized we’re getting big donations randomly through the year and you’d say yes, as much as you could, and then all sudden, you’d be at your budget. It became more around the timing of when people apply than the impact they had in the community. By creating this fund, we were able to get a significant portion of our large requests to come in at one time and we could sort out our funds and give them to the groups based on need and impact.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8