OREANDA-NEWS. October 17, 2012. PotashCorp President and CEO, Bill Doyle, today participated in the grand re-opening of a community kitchen that has become a safe haven and source of food and nutrition for hundreds of inner city youth. The company’s recent USD 200,000 donation made possible a major upgrade and renovation to the kitchen housed in Saskatoon’s White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

“The kitchen is the heart of our facility,” explained Tribal Chief Felix Thomas, representing the Saskatoon Tribal Council, one of White Buffalo’s founding organizations. “Thanks to our partner, PotashCorp, it will continue to be a place where good food and good people come together.”

White Buffalo Youth Lodge provides integrated, holistic support services to inner city, mainly Aboriginal, children, youth, young adults and their families. The multi-purpose facility is a community hub that houses education classes, special events, recreational programs and essential health services. The lodge’s kitchen makes possible feasts, celebrations and other gatherings important to the community.

“We saw this as an opportunity to help support the food and nutrition needs of people at White Buffalo Youth Lodge, and help strengthen the community itself,” explained Doyle. “We were delighted to participate.”

In addition to the kitchen, the company’s donation will also support other facility upgrades required for program and service delivery. The lodge’s security system, IT network and classroom, meeting and gym facilities are other areas that will see improvements made in the coming months.

“Our relationship with PotashCorp is long-standing and important,” said Thomas. “We are grateful for PotashCorp’s commitment to White Buffalo and the many young people and families who draw on its support.”

White Buffalo Youth Lodge was founded in 2000 through a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Regional Health Authority, Central Urban Metis Federation and Saskatoon Tribal Council Urban First Nations Services. The centre provides a range of cost-free programs and services aimed at helping children, youth, young people and their families make healthy life choices.

As the world’s largest crop nutrient company, PotashCorp plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, crop nutrients such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen offer a responsible and practical solution to help produce the food we need, from the land we have.