Emokhare Paul Anthony
Daily Herald
Local business owner Keri Sapsford is organizing a seven-day Local Living Challenge starting on April 22.
The challenge encourages Prince Albert residents to support local businesses, reduce waste, and strengthen connections in our community by completing a new task each day.
“It’s been something that’s been on my mind for a while,” said Sapsford, who owns and operates the Backyard and Compost Corner. “As part of our business we’re trying to make the community a better place to live. Part of that is just building community here, whether that’s getting to know your neighbours, whether that’s gardening in your backyard or composting, or getting involved with the community.
“It’s something I wanted to focus more on, and then with everything that’s happening in the world at the moment, local is just becoming more and more salient. (It’s) something that’s on people’s minds.”
Sapsford said starting this local living challenge gives people an opportunity to really see what impact local action has on their community. Residents can sign up via email or engaging on social media using #LivingLocalPA. Sapsford has also setup a Local Living Challenge Facebook page.
Businesses can contribute prizes and share challenges on social media to encourage participation and increase visibility.
Saspford said the City of Prince Albert has agreed to put the challenge on the large billboard on Second Avenue. When combined with a strong social media campaign and involvement from local partners, Sapsford expects to see a lot of interest, and hopes that leads to participation.
“I hope that people are encouraged and excited to try something like this,” she said. “I know that just in the community events I’m involved in—we had our Seedy Saturday event last weekend—people are excited about doing community things and getting out in the community, so I hope that this is something that people want to get involved in.”
The challenge runs for 7 days potentially starting on Earth Day (April 22). The list of challenges includes buying something locally, using public transit, or volunteering at a local event.
“We’re just hoping that we can be champions for community in Prince Albert,” Sapsford said. “Prince Albert sometimes gets a bad name, and I know that’s not true. Hopefully with this challenge we can change that a little bit.”
To subscribe to email updates on the Local Living Challenge, visit subscribepage.io/5xlQgg
–with files from Jason Kerr/Daily Herald
