BELLE PLAINE – The Mosaic Company has given back to the Moose Jaw area with a major contribution of $1.5 million towards four community organizations.
Mosaic's announcement was made Wednesday not far from Moose Jaw, at their Belle Plaine potash mine operation just east of the city. According to Mosaic’s news release, the $1.5 million is going to initiatives in the city which are focused on health care, food security, and overall community well-being.
The funding, which is spread out over a three year period and includes the following:
Among the recipients is Moose Jaw Health Foundation, which will be using the funds from Mosaic to enhance patient care, with investments in diagnostic imaging and surgical upgrades.
Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is receiving funds which Mosaic says will modernize service delivery through improved digital tools, including online booking and intake systems, enhanced volunteer coordination, and stronger partnerships with grocery providers.
Hunger in Moose Jaw will be receiving funding going to support vulnerable individuals and families in the Moose Jaw community, offering school lunch programs, community kitchens, garden plots, and food delivery initiatives.
Finally, funding is going to Wakamow Valley Authority’s Mosaic Community Food Farm to sustain its operations while planning for future growth. Plans include a possible orchard expansion and greenhouse development.
Marnel Jones, Director of Government and Public Affairs for Mosaic in Canada, said this was a way for Mosaic Company to give back to the greater Moose Jaw community. She said the organizations selected were ones they had worked with for many years.
“It's also well-connected to our mission — to help the world grow the food it needs,” Jones said.
“Obviously, food security is very important to Mosaic, as is it in our province today. So, that paired with healthcare, another important thing to our province and our people and our employees.”
The Mosaic Company has been donating to the Moose Jaw community for the past 15 years, having contributed $4.5 million over that time. Jones told reporters the company believes they “need to invest in our own backyard.”
“And for us, Moose Jaw’s very close to our Belle Plaine facility. We have 500 employees and contractors that work here. About half of them live in Moose Jaw. So, it's not only benefiting them, but all of the people who support our company and our greater communities.”
Of the organizations receiving funding, the Moose Jaw Health Foundation will be receiving the largest amount; they confirmed they will be receiving $1 million in funding from Mosaic.
Ryan Hrechka, chair of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, said the funding coming their way will address a need.
“So, I mean, as always with hospitals and medical, things are changing so fast, so quickly,” he said.
“Technology, equipment, and so those are always things that we're facing. And one of the things about the Moose Jaw Hospital, we want to make sure that we have the most day-to-day equipment to service the area that we serve in. And so that's something that we're always focusing on is making sure we have the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and surgical equipment.”
Hrechka said it was Mosaic that had actually approached their foundation about making a donation.
“I mean, it's wonderful, right, that they thought of us, that they came to us and said, We would love to give this to you guys, and, of course, we're more than happy to put that to good use for the community.”
The funding coincided with Saskatchewan Mining Week, which focused on the contributions that mining makes to the province.
Pam Schwann, President of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, said their member companies are “embraced corporate citizens. It's important and it's ingrained in them.”
“They give back to their communities. It helps in a number of ways. It makes the communities that their employees live in better communities.;It addresses issues, you know, in the communities. And they are just very supportive. They want to make the places better for their employees to work, better for their families to work. And also, at the same time, contributing globally.”
Mayor James Murdock of Moose Jaw welcomed the continued investments by Mosaic in the Moose Jaw community.
“It's a tremendous investment,” Murdock said. “So to see a strong entity such as Mosaic here in our province commit $6 million to our great city of Moose Jaw over the last 20 years… that's very inspiring. And it helps our health care, which is key and vital to us all. But then it also helps our local agencies that are doing the best that they can to provide food security for those in need. So it's truly an inspiration. “
