While a $40,000 donation is certainly something to cheer about, there was another outstanding number tallied as a result of the Cornerstone Co-op’s first year of the Bags for Breakfast program.
The program offers a three-cent donation for every plastic bag that is diverted from a landfill, encouraging shoppers to bring reusable bags of some sort when doing their grocery shopping in St. Paul and Elk Point.
Over the course of one year, 1.35 million bags have been diverted from landfills.
When Co-op approached St. Paul Education Regional Division with the idea last year, original estimates on how much money the program could raise were pegged at $5,000 to $10,000. SPERD jumped on board with the idea, and the results were astounding.
“Every day, schools across the division provide breakfast to those who need it, or want it,” said SPERD trustee Rhonda Lafrance, during an afternoon assembly held at St. Paul Elementary School on Friday, announcing the large donation.
Having breakfast available, whether it be a piece of toast or fruit, helps students “think and learn” in class. She noted that about 1,000 breakfasts are served each day, within SPERD.
“This money goes a long way,” said Lafrance.
Greg Wright, a store manager with Co-op, also spoke during the assembly on Friday, explaining that 13 schools in the area will benefit from the first year of the program.
And as a result of the success of the Bags for Breakfast program, Co-op stores in the Vermilion and Wainwright areas will also jump on board with the program, along with Saddle Lake too, according to Heather MacMillan, a representative with Cornerstone Co-op.
A cheque for a total of $40,581 was presented to SPERD board trustees.
