A little extra gas in your tank could go a long way today, and not just on the highway. The Southern Plains Co-ops in Estevan, Oxbow, and Carlyle are raising money for various local causes today with every tank of gas sold. 

"Anyone who fills up at any Southern Plains Co-Op," explained Oxbow Southern Plains Co-Op Manager Cam McNab, "in all areas, ten cents per litre goes to a charitable donation. Oxbow is choosing Oxbow Community Emergency Support Group."

According to McNab, Oxbow chose this organization based on requests put in by citizens in the community Estevan's Co-Op is donating money to Southeast Search and Rescue, while in Carlyle all the money will go toward Cornerstone Family Youth. 

"It (the Oxbow Community Emergency Support Group) seemed to be a good choice this year," McNab said. "They give money and help to people that are in need." He added that business does seem to pick up a bit at Co-Op on days like this where filling your tank can also go toward a good cause. 

The Town of Oxbow website lists the Emergency Support Group as providing help for groceries, medical travel, and other essential needs. They also provide support for the needs of children. 

"We're extremely grateful for the fact that the local Co-Op thought of us," said Brenda Miller, a member of the Oxbow Community Emergency Support Program Committee. "Any extra funding that we receive gets put right back into our community." 

Carlyle's Cornerstone Family Youth was founded in 2003 and, in their own words, "is a non-profit, charitable organization offering positive educational and recreational programs and activities for children, youth, young adults and families within the community of Carlyle and surrounding area." They have had to cancel their summer programming due to COVID-19.

Southeast Search and Rescue, meanwhile, is "a SARSAV chapter of dedicated volunteers serving southeastern Saskatchewan." They are relatively new to the area, having held their first meeting in May of last year. They were also a beneficiary of Equity Days from Estevan's Southern Plains Co-Op last year.