Creating Close Knit Communities: SaskEnergy’s Share the Warmth Program Returns for 2023-24
People helping people is at the core of Share the Warmth Grant Program – one of SaskEnergy’s mainstay community support initiatives. With an emphasis on creating close-knit communities, applications are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 season.
The program offers cash grants to charitable organizations to help them provide warm clothing, shelter, and food to those in our province who may need a helping hand during Saskatchewan’s coldest months. Mental health-related initiatives are also eligible for the program.
“The Share the Warmth program has been running for nearly 30 years and is another great example of how our Crown sector is giving back to Saskatchewan communities,” said Dustin Duncan, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy. “The charitable organizations this program supports are great examples of the generosity in and strength of our province’s close-knit communities, and our government is proud of the collaboration that takes place to make this program successful year after year.”
This year, a total of $50,000 is available for non-profit organizations, which will be distributed through grants of up to $1,000.
The program began in the 1990’s as a Sweater Recycling Project. In 2014, it evolved into a grant program. Since that time, SaskEnergy has provided $370,000 to support more than 340 Share the Warmth projects across Saskatchewan.
Last winter, one of those projects was led by the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon (CMHA Saskatoon), which received a grant in 2022-23 to support their Holiday Health Hamper program. This program provided 150 hampers filled with journals, activities, recipes, and other items that encourage mental well-being for individuals who are experiencing isolation, loneliness, depression, or anxiety during the holiday season.
“This project has allowed CMHA Saskatoon to be able to provide people with memories and connection over the holidays. It means a great deal to us for Share the Warmth to be part of the way we make that happen for people,” said Carl Sheldon, Chief Creative Officer, CMHA Saskatoon. “For other organizations who are thinking of applying, we highly recommend it, it's just been so helpful for us. I think the stories and the people who have benefited from it speak for themselves.”
Over the years, the Share the Warmth Grant Program has enabled a wide cross-section of organizations to deliver creative and meaningful projects to communities and people that are important to them. Some of these initiatives have included connecting sewing volunteers with winter jackets that need mending so they can be re-used, delivering hot breakfasts to seniors, and providing warm winter clothing to children who are new to Canada.
Applications are now open for charitable organizations who are looking to make a difference this winter. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2023.
More information about the Share the Warmth program and how to apply is available on SaskEnergy's website.