Cornerstone Co-op Hosts Successful Fuel Good Day

From left, County Councillor Stacey Hryciuk, Lyle Lawrence past St. J parent council, Leanne MacDonald St. J Prinicple, Town Councillor Kevin Martin, Leanne Martin- St. J Parent Council, and Rob Snow Town Councillor. The Vermilion Co-op Gas Bar raised $2101.70. Photo Lorna Hamilton

Fuel Good Day returned in full force on September 16, bringing together the Vermilion community and beyond in support of local school nutrition programs. Cornerstone Co-op, as part of the larger Co-op initiative spanning Western Canada, pledged to donate at least five cents per litre of fuel sold at its Gas Bars, with all proceeds benefiting the newly rebranded Feeding the Future program.

In a fun twist, Vermilion’s Gas Bar plus Wainwright and St. Paul offered $1 Fuel Good Day cookies, which students St. Jerome’s, Blessed Sacrament, and École du Sommet decorated the day before the event at their local Co-op Grocery store, as well as other items.

The Feeding the Future program, formerly known as Bags for Breakfast, continues Cornerstone Co-op’s longstanding commitment to supporting local school nutrition efforts. Cornerstone Co-op is proud to introduce new ways to keep this mission alive, including through Fuel Good Day proceeds, general sponsorship, and supporting other fundraising initiatives. The impact of Cornerstone Co-op’s community-focused efforts has been profound. Over the last five years, the Co-op has donated more than $150,000 to local schools’ breakfast programs, ensuring that students in the area start their day with a nutritious meal.

Western Canada saw Co-op members and customers across the region raise over $700,000 in 2024 alone for 200 local organizations and causes. Since its inception in 2017, more than $4.9 million has been raised through Fuel Good Day for over 870 local organizations. These contributions have fueled support for schools, food banks, hospitals, and other critical community services.

As the sun set on another successful Fuel Good Day, the Vermilion community once again demonstrated its dedication to making a difference. The funds raised on September 16 will go towards sustaining the Feeding the Future initiative, ensuring that local students at St. Jerome’s receive the nourishment they need to thrive.

“We are so grateful to our communities for coming together - from mayors, council members, and local leaders to business partners, teachers, staff, and students who volunteered all day long. It was amazing to see the spirit of community alive at all three of our gas bars, and we’re so proud to be a local Co-op surrounded by such strong and supportive communities,” said Madi Chase, Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, Cornerstone Co-op. The total raised between the three Gas Bars was $7131.09