THUNDER BAY -- Tbaytel continues to try to do its community right.
The municipally owned utility on Friday rolled out a pair of social giving programs designed to provide micro donations to schools and neighbourhood groups attempting to improve the lives of others around them.
The program was a perfect fit, says Linda Bruins of Evergreen, a United Neighbourhood, whose south-side organization used a small grant to purchase school supplies and backpacks for children in need.
“Normally I’ve taken our limited funding to get school supplies,” Bruins said at the launch of the Good Neighbours and Good Schools initiative, which follows up on the original Tbaytel for Good program which launched in 2013 and saw more than $90,000 invested with 30 projects.
“It’s a different day and world. Everyone has got tight funds, everything is expensive, so in order to help kids do well in school they need to have school supplies. It’s a basic, it just stretches our funds out further and people feel more supported.”
Tbaytel also donated a picnic table to Evergreen as part of the launch, after being informed an existing one had broken.
At the local level, community organizers and school officials will be encouraged to apply for funding through the program.
Examples of project that might qualify include breakfast programs or anti-bullying initiatives.
Up to $500 will be awarded to successful neighbourhood groups, while schools can apply for up to $1,250 per project.
“This is a little bit more a return to a grassroots application process,” said Laura Foulds, the fund co-ordinator.
“Anyone who has a great idea to help improve their community for good can submit (an application) online and a judging panel can decide.”
The program will allow Tbaytel to work more closely with neighbours and communities to make a tangible difference, said company president Dan Topatigh.
“Together we accomplish more good than we ever could alone,” he said.
For more information, visit www.tbaytelforgood.net. The deadline to apply is Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.
