WOODLANDS COUNTY – The Barrhead and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Society’s transportation bus is now running every Wednesday from Fort Assiniboine to Barrhead.
“Pick up will be at the Ford Assiniboine office at 9 a.m., returning at 1 p.m. for a rate of $25,” said Karen Pronishen, FCSS director. She said the FCSS will subsidize trips for low-income seniors.
The trip can include as many stops as needed. For example, if the rider has a doctor appointment, needs a stop at the drugstore and grocery shopping, then all those stops will be provided in the trip.
Residents can contact FCSS to register for the bus transportation or visit FCSS to get more information.
Pronishen discussed the bus and other initiatives at the Woodlands County council meeting on Feb. 26 during her report of FCSS activities and accomplishments in Fort Assiniboine.
She also reviewed the organization’s community volunteer income tax program, which will be available every Wednesday, starting March 5. Pronishen said the program is geared toward low-income people who need tax-filing help. The yearly income guidelines for the program are a maximum of $35,000 for individuals and $45,000 for couples.
In addition, FCSS held a Seniors Tea at the Friendship Centre on Feb 11 in which 12 seniors and Grade 5 and Grade 6 students from school attended. It was a Strawberry Shortcake Tea where the seniors and students played games together.
There has been a request for similar events and FCSS is looking into more intergenerational programming, according to Pronishen.
FCSS has been involved in community events throughout 2024, including hosting a picnic and with the fire department serving hotdogs.
It ran the Tools for Schools program in the fall and gave 20 backpacks to students in the area. They also provided five coats for kids in the Fort Assiniboine area and have delivered snacks to the library during the summer.
Pronishen said the FCSS office in Fort Assiniboine opened for services last year and, while it started off a little slow, the client numbers have gradually increased.
By the end of the 2024, five to seven clients are supported by FCSS in Fort Assiniboine on Wednesdays each week.
Most clients are seniors come looking for assistance in interpreting documentation from other government agencies such as CRA and completing documentation.
Pronishen said FCSS plans more advertising to see more families coming in. There are two staff members from the community who are very familiar with everyone who comes into the FCSS Fort Assiniboine office.
Some people from Fort Assiniboine come to the Barrhead office to access FCSS services, and Pronishen said those people are not reflected in the Fort Assiniboine statistics.
