Regina group plans to donate $500 affordability cheques to non-profits fighting poverty

A group of Regina residents plans to donate the $500 affordability cheques expected from the province this fall to four local non-profit groups fighting poverty.

They are asking more Saskatchewan residents to consider the same.

The initiative "is to look at the needs of people who are in poverty today," Carol Schick, a professor emeritus at the University of Regina, said Thursday.

 Poverty, she said, "is not just unfortunate but also grossly unfair. It isn't simply about charity, it's about justice."

Schick is one of the members of the group Share the Credit: Regina Equity Project, which can be found on Facebook under the same name. The group drew inspiration from former colleague Marc Spooner, a University of Regina professor who helped raise more than $100,000 for grassland conservation with more than 400 donated SGI rebates.

Recently, the Saskatchewan government announced it would be sending out $500 Saskatchewan Affordability Tax Credit cheques to all residents who filed a 2021 income tax return. Those cheques should start arriving in November.

Schick says while there is no fundraising goal they want to connect with those willing and eager to "share the credit" with those in need.

According to a 2021 University of Regina study, 19 per cent of Saskatchewan's population lives in poverty. The child poverty rate is even higher at 26 per cent, which Schick noted is "the second highest" rate of child poverty in the country.

The $500 cheque "may not be of that big significance for many of us, but it sure holds a lot of value for others," Schick said. "Instead of spending it on ourselves, it can go to charitable organizations that are making a difference."

The North Central Family Centre, Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, Carmichael Outreach and All Nations Hope are the four non-profits chosen by the group.

"There is an opportunity to be charitable here. You can also get a tax receipt for a tax credit," she said. "We should live together as human beings to share what we have, to be equal with each other."

Schick says people will have the opportunity to either donate the complete $500, which would mean $125 for each charity, or direct all of the donation to a specific agency.

"It will be a huge difference for us and the community as we don't have any core funding … we rely on donations and grants to keep our operations afloat," said Kim Wenger, executive director at North Central Family Centre.

"We can utilize it for providing winter coats, warm clothing, meals and make sure we have appropriate staff and volunteers to support."