The Southern Plains Co-op has given people another reason to look forward to Fridays.
The co-op launched Pay it Forward Fridays, when it offers something special for the public.
“Back in March, when COVID all started (in Saskatchewan), we started doing just a pay it forward, and we would do treats,” said Carol McKay, the co-op’s manager of human resources.
The co-op took the treats to the fire hall, the police station and other essential services.
Next, when the businesses in the community started opening up again, the co-op started delivering to more places, because the co-op recognizes how special it is to receive a gift.
And they started preparing small giveaways for customers at their food stores, located in Estevan, Oxbow and Carlyle.
“Every location would do a package of items, and then they would randomly pick family groups, and give these packages,” said McKay.
Six draws are made each Friday at every store. These packages include gift cards, hot chocolate and other items. Prior to Halloween, people were receiving chocolates and other candies.
In November, the focus is going to be on seniors.
"We’re going to pick seniors for our pay it forward Fridays. It’s been well-received and we put the winners on Facebook, with their approval for that picture to be posted. It’s … just something fun recognizing people,” said McKay.
“Pay it forward movements are really cool because it’s a surprise. It’s not planned. It’s not this is who it’s going to go to, with names in a draw box. It’s just random and it’s been working fairly well for us.”
There will also be six draws at each of their four convenience stores every Friday. Their Alameda location will have a giveaway, as will the bulk agro location in Estevan.
It means they’ll be giving away a lot of items every Friday to seniors and others in the southeast.
The people who receive the gifts are very happy, and the social media posts for Pay it Forward Fridays rate among the most popular for the co-op.
McKay said they want to help people out and cheer people up at this time. And as they move into the Christmas season, she thinks these gifts will have an even greater impact.
“In December, that special gift of paying it forward to someone, whether it be shovelling snow or a cup of coffee or a grocery order, it can be anything from small to large and it’s just wishing you a happy day or a better day.”
