Communities that are home to HyLife Foods operations got a financial boost from the company in September.
The pork company’s HyLife Fun Days event returned this year, taking place in La Broquerie Sept. 14 and in Neepawa and Killarney Sept. 21. Community donations announced at the event totalled nearly $50,000 this year.
Why it matters: HyLife Foods began as a Manitoba-made success story and was owned locally until 2019.
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The company, whose marketing incorporates community-focused philanthropy, started the event as a social and recreational opportunity employees and their families. Today, it’s a fundraising event that’s given more than $1.7 million, cumulatively, to local charities.
Kevin Geisheimer, director of marketing and communications for HyLife, said the company is committed to improving the communities they operate in, said
“We are incredibly proud of what HyLife Fun Days has become—a celebration of our employees, business partners and communities,” Geisheimer said in an Oct. 1 press release.
This year’s donation total topped nearly $50,000. Recipients included Habitat for Humanity Neepawa, La Broquerie Helping Hands and the Kola Rec Centre.
The extra $15,000 will make a huge positive impact for Habitat for Humanity Neepawa chapter, said John Lavich, the chapter’s chair.
“This is a game changer for the families, the community and our organization that is just starting out,” he said, adding the chapter plans to begin construction on their first home in the spring of next year. “Neepawa is growing, and there is a need for more housing.”
Lavich is looking forward to handing over the keys to a new home to a deserving family, who will contribute sweat equity to the building of the home, in the near future.
Funds for the Kola Rec Centre will go to building repairs. The $15,000 donation will support a renovation or possible rebuild to offer a variety of sports in the same facility.
“We want a legacy building here for the next 50-plus years. We want to bring the community together and keep growing,” said Adam Bajus, who is involved with the centre. “Winter is long and cold in Manitoba, and an indoor space where kids and families can get off iPads and play is essential.”
La Broquerie Helping Hands has been working to relieve food insecurity for local families since it opened in April. It provides around 40 hampers every two weeks to community members. HyLife’s $15,000 donation will help make sure the cupboards stay full, said board member Jocelyn Gautier.
“I feel like this is more than food. This is support and building community. At the end of the pick-ups, when the families thank us and go on their way with food, it motivates us. It drives us.”
