Ridley Terminals employees have been quietly assisting charitable groups in Prince Rupert, and are now looking for more ways to help.
Company employees established the RTI Employee Community Fund, which allows employees to have a certain amount per pay period deducted off of their paycheque to help community groups. According to Renise Tschabold, the fund has about 50 per cent participation from RTI workers and the company itself has agreed to match any donations from its employees up to $20 per person per pay period.
That, says Tschabold, has meant the fund grows at a rate of about $3,500 per month.
So far groups that have benefited from the fund include the Prince Rupert Library, the Community Enrichment Society, the Prince Rupert Seniors Centre, Crimestoppers and the Kaien Anti-Poverty Society, which is receiving $1,000 per month for a year to help with the society's Food Share program.
The Food Share program distributes food from the KAPS office on McKay Street as well as to the Sunset Villa Seniors Housing and the pregnancy outreach program with leftovers going to the Salvation Army and the Catholic Church for their food programs. According to Colleen Hermanson, Overwaitea has been the biggest supporter of the program.
Local registered charities seeking assistance with funding can contact Tschabold at 250-627-3528 for more information on the RTI Employee COmmunity Fund program.