Annual Co-op Fuel Good Day makes Hunger in Moose Jaw feel great

The Co-op gas bars across the city were busy on Tuesday, as Moose Javians lined up to fill up their tanks big and small to help support Co-op Fuel Good Day. 

Hunger in Moose Jaw is the charity of choice for this year’s charity event, receiving all of the funds raised from gas sales throughout the day — that’s 10 cents from every litre sold donated to the cause, totalling a whopping $12,035.

Michaela Turner, manager of marketing and community relations at Moose Jaw Co-op, is pleased to see the support, especially as the purpose of the event is to lend a helping hand to a community partner.

“We are so proud of our community, to come out and support us and Hunger in Moose Jaw.  It is such an exciting event, and is always a fun day to be out supporting a great cause,” said Turner in an email with the Moose Jaw Express.

Last year’s total donation was $12,006, which was the record-to-date for the fundraiser and the Co-op is impressed to see Moose Jaw top it — just barely — with this year's final total.

“Giving back is so important to us and we are just so happy for amazing results, with the help of our community coming out to support,” said Turner. “We really appreciate our members, and our entire community. Being a member of the Moose Jaw Co-op is being a part of something bigger. We give back locally, and we put our people first.”

Hunger in Moose Jaw staff were out in full force at Co-op gas bar locations throughout the day, waving to motorists and sharing their colourful fruit-themed signs.

Hunger In Moose Jaw is equally as happy and plans to use the donation for a necessary renovation project, to update worn and splintered flooring of the building on Stadacona Street West. 

“We are really excited about it, that money is going to go towards some much-needed renovations in our building, and that will more than cover it so it's great to hear,” said executive director Sharla Sept. 

The pandemic put a damper on a number of Hunger in Moose Jaw’s summer fundraising and events, so the donation will serve to help the organization continue offering food security to the community throughout the fall. 

“We’re really grateful to the Co-op for picking us this year,” said Sept. “It was a great day and thanks to everyone who came out and purchased fuel, and thanks to the Hunger in Moose Jaw staff who came out to help bring people in, and thank you to the Co-op for this [donation].”

Supporting organizations that serve the community is important to the Moose Jaw Co-op, said Turner. Last year’s recipient of the fundraiser was the Moose Jaw Transition House, and this year the decision to support Hunger in Moose Jaw was a no-brainer.

“Hunger in Moose Jaw stood out as they are doing so many great things with their programming, and are essential to help feed hundreds of kids and families each and every month,” said Turner. “They have always supported our Co-op also for their fuel and food purchases and we have a great relationship with them. They are needing major renovations and really need the help to complete them.”