A $6,000 fresh-food-fund donation was made by Pembina Pipeline Corporation to the Barrhead Food Bank Aug. 30.
“The money will go to fresh produce and dairy products,” FCSS worker Robin Kapler said, adding in their excitement over the donation, FCSS staff had already begun to purchase items in advance.
“A big part of our donations are non-perishables, but we do get financial contributions as well, and we really appreciate all of the support that we get from businesses and individuals within our community,” she said.
John Pattyson, Pembina Pipeline Corp. representative from Swan Hills, said the donation grew out of a need identified by the company throughout all of Alberta.
“With the current recession, which is one of the hardest I’ve personally ever seen, Pembina felt it was time to step in and help the communities where our pipeline is going through,” he added.
Pattyson said he has been with the company for 25 years and thinks this is a good initiative.
“Most of our donations in the past have gone to Swan Hills where we are based, but we are trying to diversify to all of the communities where we have a presence — Slave Lake, Fort Assiniboine, even here in Barrhead,” he said. “We have some major lines running through this area and I don’t think a lot of people even know we are there.”
In the past, Pattyson said, it was the company’s prerogative to maintain a low profile.
“Now Pembina has taken the opposite approach to make sure communities know we are part of them,” he added.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation has a matching contribution initiative with its employees, Pattyson said.
“I personally couldn’t work in a food bank,” Pattyson said, adding the reason was if he knew someone who called looking for help, he would be the first to hop in a truck.
“In Swan Hills, when we realized how bad things were with our own food bank, we raised $5,000 and the company matched that. This donation to Barrhead grew out of that,” he added.
