Pay-it-foward program helps out
Annual program helps those in need, one cup of coffee at a time, at Northern Store
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 22, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
For Fort Simpson resident Pat Waugh and Northern Store manager Chris Van Dyke, every little bit helps.
Pat Waugh, left, is the founder of the Pay It Forward program in Fort Simpson. Beside her is Siobhan Kellman, an employee for the gas bar at the Northern Store, who is one of the people responsible for administering the program. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
|
A quarter, a toonie or a $5 bill - all of it goes toward the same purpose: to provide a hot meal or a coffee to anyone in need.
Going strong, two years on
Waugh launched Fort Simpson's pay-it-forward program in 2014. As the program enters its third year, Waugh is reminding people that it exists.
"The idea is that anybody can go into the gas bar and make a donation," Waugh said. Donations can also be left at the Northern Store office.
"They can either buy an extra coffee and leave it, or they can make a donation and leave it. And anybody who needs a coffee, soup or sandwich can just come and get it."
Staff at the gas bar won't turn anyone away. Van Dyke said the gas bar's cashiers, Siobhan Kellman and Betty Ann Neyelle, have been in Fort Simpson for years and know the community well.
"They know who the people are (who need this program)," he said.
One of Van Dyke's goals is to make the process as seamless and comfortable as possible for people who want to use the service.
"What we want is for someone who needs a sandwich or a coffee to not be shy about it," he said.
"If someone asks for a coffee, we give it to them."
Helping the community, one twoonie at a time
People can also buy gift cards for the program, if they prefer.
"You don't have to come in and leave $50, $100. You can come in and buy a coffee, leave a coffee. For $4.60, you're helping someone else out," Van Dyke said.
"It all goes to the same place."
Waugh said the program provides a practical and respectful way for people to help community members in need, and has never been abused.
"I think it works well because it's effortless. It's a really simple way for people to donate and help out," she said.
"And for family members who worry about people who are at risk, it's a way for them to donate money to keep their family members a little bit safer."
From time to time, Waugh checks the balance of the program to make sure money is available.
Although demand for the program slows down in the summer, it picks back up in the winter.
Van Dyke estimates 15 people use the program daily.
