Charities get $167,000 boost from Foothills Salvage

A local non-profit is helping fellow non-profits in the Foothills.

The Foothills Salvage & Recycling Society, which has been part of the community for over 30 years, distributed $167,000 among 13 organizations in the area in its annual donation on April 4. 

The sizable sum was raised through the society's operations, including its popular thrift store.

"This all starts with the patronage of the people who drop off their reusable items and the people who shop with the Salvage Centre," said manager Gaby Zuniga.

This year's recipients were: Oilfields High School, It Takes A Village, KidSport Okotoks, Okotoks Family Resource, Opening Gaits, Okotoks United Church school lunch program, High River Food For Thought, Rowan House, Solace Grief, Sheep River Health Trust, Okotoks Food Bank, High River Food Bank and Diamond Valley Food Bank.

"We get a lot of applicants every year, so these organizations are 13 of the lucky ones we are donating to this year," said Zuniga. 

The society allows its volunteers to help decide where funds are directed based on the number of hours worked. This year, the organization's 46 volunteers were responsible for $60,000 of the $167,000 donation.

"We love our volunteers," said Zuniga.

The Foothills Salvage & Recycling Society is located on Highway 783 south of Okotoks, adjacent to the Foothills Regional Landfill. 

According to its website, the society diverts 330 tons of material from the landfill every year.