Stride Credit Union has announced that with the support of Concentra and EQ Bank’s Empowering Your Community grant program, the Neepawa Salvation Army is the successful recipient of a $10,000 grant.
According to a media release, Concentra and EQ Bank collaborate with Canadian credit unions each year through the “Empowering Your Community” grant program which selects deserving initiatives to improve mental health, housing, Indigenous resurgence, and food security.
Since 2011, it has awarded over $2 million to credit unions, significantly impacting communities across Canada. This year, Stride Credit Union submitted a nomination of Neepawa Salvation Army, brought forward by current Stride CU employee, and former Neepawa Salvation Army employee, Amanda Lodge who said, “I nominated the Salvation Army because I had the joy of working there for four years and saw first hand the great things they do for our community and the people they help.”
The grant will support the Salvation Army in relocating to a larger, street-front space, allowing them to expand their essential services. From a new grocery-style food bank that improves access and dignity for clients to a Community Kitchen that will teach valuable food literacy skills, this expansion is set to address the growing challenge of food insecurity in the region.
Stride Credit Union employees Michelle Gilmore and Amanda Lodge, Stride Credit Union Board Member Keith Jury joined Colin Lewis from EQ Bank to tour the Salvation Army’s current location and see where the new space will be. After learning about the impactful programs and the plans for this exciting expansion, they were honoured to present the $10,000 cheque to Neepawa Salvation Army Community Director Amanda Naughton-Gale.
Stride Credit Union was formed on January 1, 2017 and has branches in Austin, Gladstone, MacGregor, Neepawa and Portage la Prairie.
