Northern Strands Group of Companies (NSGC) is proud to announce that we are partnering with Rock 102 for the second time for its 20th annual Stuff the Bus Event. Stuff the Bus aims to fill the shelves of the Saskatoon Food Bank by filling a City Bus with donated non-perishables. NSGC will be collecting non-perishables for the event from March 10th to April 9th. On April 10th, from 7 am to 6 pm, we will be at the Saskatoon Coop Grocery Store on 8th Street (The Centre Mall, 3310 8th Street East) to help collect donations to stuff the bus.
The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Center
The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Center serves Saskatoon and the surrounding areas by providing food, emergency hampers, garden-grown produce, and educational programs. There is a growing demand for its services in Saskatchewan; from 2019 to 2024, there was a 42.1% increase in total visits (HungerCount 2024 report). The increase in traffic is especially noticed during Easter, as kids who rely on school programs are without them over the break.
In the past 12 months, nearly 30% of food banks across the network reported running out of food before demand was met; another 56% gave out less food than usual to avoid running out.1 In 2021, these numbers were 10% and 20%, respectively.¹ Based on a national survey of food banks affiliated with Food Banks Canada, conducted May 16–June 23, 2024, N = 450.
The Saskatoon Food Bank reported that “Up to 8,000 homes received food hampers every month from 2023-2024,” and 1 in 5 children in Saskatchewan are experiencing poverty
NSGC Goal
We aim to donate enough pasta to reach the depth of a 3,600-foot mine shaft. To help us achieve this goal, we have brought back the NSGC Pasta Challenge. NSGC will accept donations in our Showroom at 802 60th Street E until April 9th. The bin will be located near the entrance, along with our 8-foot-tall mineshaft goal thermometer.
Why we chose 3,600ft & Pasta
- The typical SK Potash mine is around 3,600’ deep
- SK Potash creates fertilizer that grows food and feeds people around the world
- NSGC’s strong ties support our local potash mines with various equipment/services
- Spaghetti resembles the strands of wire rope we provide to the mines
- Pasta is one of the food bank’s most wanted items, provides lots of meals and is easy to make
