On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, Red River Co-op will donate five cents of every litre of fuel sold at their gas bars to go directly towards mental health initiatives at Klinic Community Health, focusing on their Trans Health Klinic Program and the Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Services support lines. In addition, the Co-op has also pledged to donate one dollar of every Co-operative Coffee and Big Cool sale.

“The impact of the pandemic has and continues to affect the mental health of members of our communities, and Klinic provides many wellness services to support all Manitobans,” said Doug Wiebe, CEO of Red River Co-op.

Klinic Community Health provides a full range of health-related services from medical care to counselling and education. Their Transgender Health Clinic serves transgender, gender diverse and Two-Spirit people in Manitoba 16 years and older who are seeking gender affirming medical care. As the provincial program, they serve clients from all across Manitoba with a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of individuals that includes peer support, as well as clinical and administrative staff. Since the program’s inception in 2009, the number of clients accessing the program has increased year over year, and their funding has not been able to keep up with the demand. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has created more barriers for individuals accessing care, resulting in dramatically increased wait times for individuals. This funding will allow them to explore reduction of wait times and to offer expanded supports to individuals and their loved ones during this time in their care journey.

Their Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Line provides free, confidential and non-judgmental counselling for farmers, rural and northern Manitobans. Their counselors are available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support individuals when they need it most, and can also refer individuals to other services and programs. The past few years have been difficult in many ways, and their counsellors help to provide Manitobans with the access to mental health and support services that they require.

“Klinic is incredibly thankful for the support provided by Red River Co-op and their members and customers. Since the Trans Klinic’s inception in 2009, the number of clients accessing the program has increased year over year, and our funding has not been able to keep up with the demand,” said Stephanie Bevacqua, Director of Development and Engagement, Klinic Community Health. “Our Manitoba Farm and Rural Support Line provides free, confidential and non-judgmental counselling for farmers and rural Manitobans. We know these past few years have been difficult in many ways, and our counsellors help to provide Manitobans with the access to mental health and support services that they require.”

Since Fuel Good Day started in 2017, Red River Co-op has donated over $295,500 to local non-profit organizations, including the Bear Clan Patrol, Siloam Mission, Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY), and more.

Red River Co-op encourages all members and customers to fuel up at any of Red River Co-op’s 36 gas bars on September 20 to make a difference in the community.