Cameco is supplying funding to non-profits across northern Saskatchewan, including the Battlefords Interval House. (fIle photo/paNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

PPE on the way

Battlefords non-profits receive relief funding from Cameco

May 1, 2020 | 5:51 PM

North Battleford is among several communities that will receive COVID-19 relief funding from Cameco.

The company is supporting 67 community projects in Saskatoon and northern Saskatchewan, including The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords and the Battlefords Interval House.

Interval House Executive Director Debbi Kovalsky said she’s ecstatic to receive the funds.

“They had 581 applications for the $17.5 million they were willing to pass around the province,” Kovalsky said. “So, to be selected we are very grateful.”

The funds come at a perfect time for the women’s shelter, as the numbers of women and children seeking shelter has increased.

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“We’ve had an increase in calls,” Kovalsky said. “And we’ve had to adapt our services somewhat because of COVID-19.”

Cameco is supplying significant numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE), including 1,000 masks, 7,000 pairs of gloves and 7,000 litres of hand sanitizer. Kovalsky said it’s a relief to avoid situations where they must deny services to residents, particularly with outreach services.

“We’ve had past clients contact us for food hampers, personal supplies, that kinda of thing,” she said. “We don’t want to be turning anybody away.”

The funding in part will help organizations like the Interval House expand community support. Kovalsky said because they aren’t funded for outreach services, it will be a huge help moving forward with helping households with members who lost jobs.

“We can [go] forward and ask people if they need help, rather than waiting for people to come to us,” she said. “That’s going to make a big difference.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports