THUNDER BAY – The fall 2019 Tbaytel for Good Community Fund campaign came to a close on Nov. 8, 2019, with six community projects now able to put a total of $14,000 to great use for northern Ontario. Tbaytel celebrated with winning groups and organizations earlier today at St. Martin Elementary School in Thunder Bay.

St. Martin will be able to organize and increase the way it gives back to students at its school through the Mustangs’ Blessing Cupboard as one of the $1,500 winners of the Tbaytel for Good Community fund. The cupboard will now be full of everything from food to winter coats for those students in need.

“The Mustangs’ Blessing Cupboard was an entirely student-driven initiative. We are so proud of our students who saw some of their friends in need and found a wonderful opportunity to help them through the Tbaytel For Good Community Fund,” says Grade 6 French Immersion teacher Lisa Auger.

Applicants had two weeks to engage their communities and encourage the public to vote for their submissions. The 10 semi-finalists in the $1,500 and $5,000 categories received a combined total of 189,239 votes.

“With more than 40 entries from all across the region we serve, Tbaytel is proud of those community members who stand up time and time again to create these incredible initiatives that the Tbaytel for Good Community Fund is honoured to support. We are always so inspired by the diversity and innovation of the projects that we see,” says Amy Meunier, Tbaytel’s director of marketing and communication.

Based on the total number of votes received, the following projects will also receive funding to engage their communities and make their plans a reality:

$5,000 Funding Level 

• Equaywuk Women’s Group and Municipality of Sioux Lookout Police Services Board – MAKWA CLAN of Sioux Lookout, Sioux Lookout, ON

The MAKWA CLAN of Sioux Lookout will patrol the community of Sioux Lookout to assist people who are in need and ensure they can access the proper care needed. Its goal is to make its community safer, enhance everyone’s mental and physical well-being, reduce crime and be inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds. It will purchase equipment and supplies to enhance the well-being of all citizens in Sioux Lookout.

• The Borrowing Cupboard – Kick Start, Kenora, ON

The Borrowing Cupboard is a non-profit organization that supports the need of disabled individuals in the Lake of the Woods Area. Operating out of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, it is a place where people can donate, borrow or exchange mobility aid equipment. It will cover overhead and equipment costs while kickstarting a new business model this year.

$1,500 Funding Level

• Martin School – Mustangs’ Blessing Cupboard, Thunder Bay, ON

While St. Martin always comes together to help its students, the school wants to organize and increase what it can do. It will create an area in the school where students can go when they need anything from a snack to a new winter coat without having to wait for a holiday food/clothing drive. It will purchase equipment and supplies to get its Blessing Cupboard up and running.

• Christa Novasat – Grub Tub Snack Program, Thunder Bay, ON

Grub Tubs provide elementary school students with non-perishable, nut-free, snack foods to be handed out at the teachers’ discretion, to children who don’t have, or have forgotten their snacks or lunches. This program currently benefits nine elementary schools (both Public and Catholic) across Thunder Bay. Grub Tub will purchase snacks to help fill the tubs throughout the school year.

$500 Funding Level 

• Maureen Caul and Michelle Williams – Girls Night Out for the Girls, Dryden, ON

Girls Night out for the Girls is a lighthearted evening of fun and laughter to support those going through cancer treatment. The event raises funds for chemotherapy care bags to ease the financial and emotional burden for those undergoing treatment. The group will purchase supplies for the bags.

• Shuniah Soilmates – Till the Beds are Made, Shuniah, ON

The Shuniah Soilmates are a keen group of gardeners who grow food and flowers together for themselves and local charities. They will purchase a roto-tiller to help in their efforts.