REGINA - The Jingle Bus program has come through with another big donation towards a worthy Regina charitable organization.
At an announcement Tuesday morning, the City of Regina confirmed that this season’s program had raised a total of $13,083.55 going to Chili for Children.
Chili for Children, founded by the late Theresa Stevenson, has operated in Regina since 1979 to help low income families and to fight hunger in the community. They offer free, healthy nutritious lunches for children during school days. According to numbers provided at the news conference, Chili for Children provides 117,000 meals a school year.
A cheque for $13,083.55 was presented to Chili for Children’s director Greg Stevenson by Mayor Sandra Masters and City Director of Transit and Fleet Services Brad Bells.
“It’s incredible, what words do I use?” said Stevenson. “It’s all about the children, and nutritious meals… our mission statement is to assist children and families, in this inner city of Regina, to receive warm nutritious meals in the schools that we serve and also attain some level of food security.”
Stevenson said they follow the Canada Food Guide, and he said this donation will help them tremendously, particularly when it comes to obtaining ground beef for their meals.
“It should warm everybody’s heart that they are the choice to receive the money from the Jingle Bus,” said Mayor Masters.
As for why Chili for Children was chosen as this year’s recipient, “we want to focus on the kids,” said Masters.
“It’s the kids that need attention not just a Christmas but all year. In terms of having a healthy meal, it’s important for their development, and their ability to focus and to learn and to participate in the community.”
This is the eighth year of the Jingle Bus program, which was offered Dec. 15 to 17 by Regina Transit. During that time, residents rode Regina Transit buses for free, but riders were encouraged to donate their fare in the fare box to give back towards a worthy cause.
Regina Transit estimates this past weekend saw 48,500 riders compared to the 36,000 they normally would see on a typical weekend.
Last year, $14,496 was raised in the Jingle Bus campaign which went to the local nonprofit Growing Young Movers.
