The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George is getting into the transportation business.
The local branch of the children's charity is starting up a shuttle bus service after receiving a donation from Integris Credit Union for the purchase of a 15-seater van and a seven-seater van.
"We're really excited to launch our community shuttle program," Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director Tim Bennett said. "This is a licensed shuttle program that will help people get from point A to point B here in Prince George and all revenues from the program are invested back into our mentoring programs allowing us to grow."
Licensed by the Passenger Transportation Board, the shuttles can be booked with a minimum three-hour call out for things like safe travel to and from parties. The vans will also be used by the agency to transport children to and from its after-school care program.
Trim-Line Sign Crafters designed and applied the wraps on the vans. The distinctive look is intended to help raise the profile of Big Brothers Big Sisters in the community.
The charity has a $400,000 annual operating budget and Bennett said over the next three years he hopes the shuttle service business will generate between $50,000 and $100,000.
"It's getting more and more competitive out there to secure funding, so our main priority is to find a way to get sustainable funding for our programs so we can continue to grow regardless of what's happening in the economy," Bennett said, adding a feasibility study was done to ensure there was a need for the shuttle service in Prince George.
Additionally, Big Brothers Big Sisters announced that since March 1, Save-on-Foods has been supplying healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and breakfast items to children who access its programs.
"The nice part of the partnership is it allows the kids to help plan a bit of their menu and create balanced eating using Canada's food guide," Bennett said. "We teach the kids the importance of healthy eating and that some items are OK to eat in moderation."
Through its after-school and mentorship programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently helps 250 children in Prince George, but Bennett said the charity is targeting for 15 per cent growth in the number of clients its serves over each of the next three years.
Intergris is also playing a role in that initiative by allowing staff to volunteer while on the company's dime.
"They don't just allow their staff to come on work time, they encourage their staff to come on work time," Bennett said.
The partnerships with Integris, Save-on-Foods and Trim-Line are for three years, with an initial combined commitment of more than $50,000. Bennett said that number could grow over time.
