At Prairie North Co-op, our goal is to give with purpose, to strengthen support to local community initiatives and charities through initiating strategies that guide financial giving and volunteerism.

In 2022, Prairie North Co-op received over 400 requests for support and gave a record $154,463 to 223 community groups and organizations through cash donations, gift cards, products and merchandise.

Our Co-op was built to serve, grow and invest in our community. That’s why we return our profits to local members through equity and cashback, and we have made a commitment to support the causes that matter to our members. The causes that are making a difference in our members’ lives.

Following are just some of the highlights from our 2022 community giving.

COMMUNITY GROW FIELDS - we are proud to support community grow fields in the communities of Kelvington, Melfort, and Naicam. Over $15,000 in fuel and crop inputs is donated each year to these valuable community fundraisers.

FUEL GOOD DAY - over the last six years Prairie North Co-op has donated almost $60,000 to local charities through the Federated Co-op Limited Fuel Good Day program. On September 20, 2022, $10,000 was raised in just one day with 10 cents from every litre of fuel sold at gas bars in Archerwill, Kelvington, Melfort, Naicam, Spalding and St. Brieux – plus the proceeds from BBQs, and Big Cool and Coffee sales that day – split between the Archerwill Driftriders, Kelvington Trail Blazers, Melfort & District Trail Riders, and the Naicam SnowBlasters.

MELFORT MUSTANGS - in addition to the advertising that we do with the team each year, Prairie North Co-op is proud to support the 7th Skater Program and in 2022, due to the cost-of-living increases driven by inflation, created a discount program for billet families which entitles them to 10% off food purchases (some exceptions apply).

NEOSS/NESPCA - in 2022 Prairie North Co-op was the $5000 prize sponsor for the Chase the Ace fundraiser that was split between the two organizations. For the NESPA, there was additional sponsorship in the form of BBQ’s and the donation of a washing machine when the shelter’s quit.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES FUND - the purpose of the Sustainable Communities Fund is to provide support to capital projects and new programs that will enhance the quality of life for the people in the communities and surrounding region that make up the Prairie North Co-op trading area – Archerwill, Brooksby, Kelvington, Melfort, Naicam, Spalding, St. Brieux, and the hamlets in between. In 2022, the allocation for the fund was $25,000.

JAMES SMITH FIRST NATION - after the tragic events at James Smith Cree Nation in September, recognizing the imminent need to get support to the families most impacted to offset travel costs to visit loved ones in hospital and to assist with the cost of wakes and funerals, Prairie North Co-op and Lake Country Co op approached Federated Co-op Limited to work out the details of a $10,000 donation based on FCL matching the local co-operatives individual commitments of $2,500 worth of gift cards. At Prairie North Co-op we continued to collect donations for the First Nation through our food store locations, collecting another $4,700 to add to our original donation.

COMMANDING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - on January 3, 2023 we were proud to accept the Commanding Officer’s Certificate of Appreciation from the local detachment of the RCMP “in appreciation and recognition for your support of the Melfort RCMP detachment and the Saskatchewan RCMP through your kind and generous donation of food during the mass casualty incident which occurred at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan in September, 2022. Terry Tremblay, General Manager of Prairie North Co-op, explains, “our staff were compelled to act, and they initiated the giving. We are just proud to be a company that says ‘yes’ when our employees are passionate about a cause.”