Share the Warmth’s impact felt across Saskatchewan

As cold weather returns to Saskatchewan, SaskEnergy is helping people stay warm — the Share the Warmth grant program is back.

One group that received help last year is the Homeplate Shelter Coalition Corp. in Meadow Lake, which runs a shelter for people who don’t have a safe place to stay during the cold winter months.

“One of our biggest challenges is securing the funds needed to operate the emergency shelter during the coldest months,” says Joanne Gislason, Board Chair of ML Homeplate Shelter Coalition Corp. “The Share the Warmth funding from SaskEnergy made a meaningful difference in our work. It allowed us to provide warm food for our clients at night, ensuring that those who came in from the cold not only had shelter but also a hot meal.”

Last year, Share the Warmth celebrated 30 years by increasing the program’s funding to $100,000, expanding its reach to 106 organizations in 104 communities and helping more than 105,000 people across the province. Since 2013, the program has given over half a million dollars in grants to more than 500 programs across Saskatchewan.

In Leask, the Happy Homesteaders used their grant to bring seniors together for chair exercises and social time.

“Our challenge is always to keep seniors active and connected. The laughter and friendship kept us warm inside,” the organization says. “This year, we’re reaching out with phone calls, FaceTime, and small acts of kindness for seniors who can’t leave their homes.”

The Qu’Appelle Valley Friendship Centre chose to host a Christmas meal and give stockings to kids with the funding received through Share the Warmth.

“It was a joyful event that brought people together,” the Centre shares. “The grant helped us create a warm and welcoming space where families could celebrate and connect.”

Angels4Warmth, a volunteer group that makes warm items like mitts, hats, scarves and quilts, used the grant to purchase yarn and quilt batting.

“We don’t fit into regular fundraising categories like sports or culture,” the group says. “The grant helps us buy materials so our volunteers can keep making warm items for people in need. We’re very thankful for SaskEnergy’s support.”

The Share the Warmth program offers grants of up to $1,000 to groups that help others with food, shelter, clothing, and mental health support during winter. For the second straight year, SaskEnergy will give out $100,000 to charities across the province through the program. Groups can apply until October 31, 2025.

Visit our Share the Warmth page to find out how to apply today.