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North Cariboo Seniors’ Council looking to expand programming

The Quesnel group offers snow clearing, yard work and meal delivery and is hoping to offer more
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A grant form the 4 Rivers Community Fund allowed the North Cariboo Seniors’ Council to purchase a snowblower this year. (Submitted Photo)

The North Cariboo Seniors’ Council (NCSC) is continuing to expand their services.

The group, which was founded in 2020, has established programs including yard work, meal delivery and snow removal.

Secretary and board member Sally Service said since most of their early funds came from COVID-19 grants, the NCSC is working hard to secure additional grants and funds.

“We’re trying to find interesting, innovative ways of getting donations from the community,” Service said, noting their entire existance has been affected by COVID-19 rules.

“We’ve bounced around a few ideas, but nothing is set yet… We can’t have any kind of fundraising event to bring people together.”

In 2021, the group received a $100,000 grant from Quesnel city council. They also have an office in Spirit Square in downtown Quesnel.

READ MORE: North Cariboo Seniors Council celebrates funding boost

“For an organization that’s been in existence for two years, we’ve managed to accomplish a lot,” Service said.

They recently received $2,000 from the Lions Club, a grant from Quesnel Community Futures for a Zoom membership, and $4,600 from the 4 Rivers Community Coop Fund.

The money from 4 Rivers was used to buy a snow blower and trailer, and the group is planning on buying a lawn mower and leaf blower in March. Service thanked Ron Kelly and Calvin Erlendson for working to remove snow throughout the season.

Wal-Mart has also donated $1,000 to the NCSC’s meal program, which has delivered over 2,800 meals since spring of 2020.

“We have taken on at the community level, the actual making of the meals that we deliver,” Service said, noting that the NCSC partners with Bethel Church, North Star Church and Rotary to rotate delivering meals throughout a month.

“While we had all the grants, we were able to hire someone… For that we’ve been borrowing kitchen space and freezer space. We’re hoping to get money from the Quesnel Community Foundation for a small upright freezer.”

More information on the seniors’ council can be found at www.caribooseniorscouncil.org.

READ MORE: North Cariboo Seniors’ Council aims to help Quesnel seniors

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com


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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com

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