The Saskatoon Tribal Council plans to expand its COVID-19 meal program to about 500 households next week thanks to the help of a number community partners.
The Saskatoon Co-op, Saskatoon Public Schools and Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation are just a few of the partners that have come to the table as part of the meal program.
STC Chief Mark Arcand says Saskatoon organizations have really come together during the pandemic crisis.
“It’s like the City of Saskatoon has so many passionate people that want to make a difference in people’s lives,” he said. “I’m very humbled, and the chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council are very humbled, to have great partners like this and people that care.”
Other partners in the meal program include the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation, Nutrien and the Saskatoon Paramedic Association.
Since the province declared a state of emergency on Mar. 18, the tribal council has been providing two meals-per-day, five days-a-week to about 300 families in need.
Arcand said the COVID-19 meal program costs anywhere between $10,000 to $15,000 per week.
It is estimated that with the expansion, about 3,000 people will be receiving meals each day.
STC is also providing families with other COVID-19 emergency necessities such as cleaning kits, hygiene products and activity kits for children.
Chief Arcand said the bulk of the programming has been paid for through in-house funds and community donations thus far but the tribal council does have an application in to Indigenous Services Canada for additional funding.
STC’s COVID-19 meal program is being coordinated out of the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, the tribal council’s Sion Facility, the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation and Mount Royal High School in Saskatoon.
(PHOTO: Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand. File photo.)