SaskTel donating backpacks, blankets across the province to help people stay warm

SaskTel is doing what they can to help people in need stay warm this winter.

The crown corporation is donating 80 boxes of blankets and 1,070 backpacks that contain items such as socks and toques to 22 different organizations across the province.

“These are individuals in our community, these are people we see on a regular basis around the community,” CEO of SaskTel Ron Styles said. “We always feel like there’s a need to try and help them.”

In September, SaskTel employees and SaskTel Pioneers volunteered and donated items and money to fill as many backpacks as possible.

Carmichael Outreach in Regina was one of the organizations that received the donations.

“It’s just a reminder that there are community members out there who do care and we really, really do appreciate it,” Carmichael’s Executive Director Cora Gajari said.

Carmichael received 60 backpacks and 6 boxes of blankets to give out.

Gajari said families who come to them are grateful for the items because it’s hard for the families to ensure everyone gets everything they need. She also said they do get a lot of people who are homeless and the blankets help ensure those people are able to stay warm through the winter months.

Along with the items, SaskTel is donating $13,000 in total to the different organizations throughout the province.