Pictured above: Northern Store Administration manager Natasha Lemay (left) and Arviat Northern Store Manager Darren Price (right) presenting the Greener Tomorrow cheque to the Mayor of Arviat, Joe Jr Savikataaq on May 11, 2022.

Children in Arviat, NU will continue to start their school days with full bellies and have more opportunities to enjoy sporting activities in the community, thanks to support through the Greener Tomorrow program.

The community of Arviat is an active participant in the Greener Tomorrow campaign and this year will receive a grant of over $27,000. In recent years, Greener Tomorrow funds have been used to aid in the construction of the Eco-Park and keep the breakfast program running at the elementary schools.

“Thank you very much. This will help the community. Northern is always a great supporter of Arviat,” said Joe Jr Savikataaq, Mayor of Arviat.

Arviat District Education Authority (DEA) will receive half of the funds to use for the breakfast program, which supports around 400 kids in the community and is organized by teachers at the elementary schools. This initiative will continue to help tackle food security challenges among the young students throughout the school year.

The other half of the funds are being directed towards the upkeep and general improvements of the Sports Park, by the Hamlet of Arviat. The Sports Park offers several features such as a soccer pitch, baseball and softball diamond turf, concert park, BBQ pits, and climbing apparatuses. Arviat is also planning improvement measures to the facilities, to better serve the community members.

“The Sports Park is a legacy building that I am truly proud to be a part of for the community of Arviat. Something that the future generations will be able to benefit from,” said Darren Price, Arviat Northern Store Manager.

Northern/NorthMart operates the Greener Tomorrow program throughout the year to reduce the circulation and use of plastic bags in the community. To promote eco-friendly options, customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags and are charged a fee when purchasing a plastic bag. The stores then reinvest the money collected through the purchase back into the community through educational, environmental, and social programs.