THE BATTLEFORDS — March 5 marked a donation of $10,000 from Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) and Gold Eagle Casino to the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.
This donation is a part of several donations set to be made across Saskatchewan communities in the coming weeks, as SIGA invests $225,000 into food security.
“The Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre is thrilled to receive the donation from SIGA," said Executive Director Erin Katerynch in a SIGA press release.
"The money will help the community in two ways. With the money donated, we will be able to provide for 780 children struggling with food insecurity through our Food for Kids Program. We help approximately 100-130 children every week throughout the school year.
“Secondly, Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre has no core funding. We rely on donations and grants to keep our doors open to serve those in need. The donation from SIGA will help feed approximately 2,000 people a month,” added Katerynych.
SIGA is a non-profit corporation which reinvests all net revenue back into Saskatchewan.
Casino net revenue is redistributed as follows, noted Pat Cook with SIGA:
- 50 per cent to the First Nations Trust (which is distributed to the 74 First Nations in the province),
- 25 per cent to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) which reinvests the money back into local community initiatives;
- and 25 per cent to the provincial General Revenue Fund
“Gold Eagle Casino is a part of the Battlefords community, and it was important for us to give back and to help fill the need right now in the community for food hampers,” said Gold Eagle Casino General Manager Kelly Atcheynum.
