Surerus Pipeline donates $20k grant to Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society outreach store

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Fort St. John company has stepped up to support a local outreach store which serves low-income families in the city. 

On June 4th, 2026, the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society announced in a Facebook post that it received a $20,000 grant from Surerus Pipeline. 

Estefania Albornoz, manager of Fundraising and Community Engagement at the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society, said the outreach store is the only place in town that provides free services and items.

“We provide clothing, food, hygiene items, household items, some pet food as well,” Albornoz said. “We also organize the Christmas hampers during December [and] we organize back-to-school programs.”

Albornoz said the outreach store costs approximately $245,000 annually to operate. 

The society said Surerus’s grant ensures the store will operate for a full month.

“We are deeply grateful to Surerus Pipeline and the Surerus family for giving back to this community in such a meaningful way,” the post read. “Your support helps ensure people can access essentials with dignity when they need them most.” 

According to Albornoz, the store received over 15,000 visitors in 2025. In December 2025, the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society projected it would welcome over 18,000 visits in 2026.  

On June 3rd, 2026, the society received over $3,000 from the Hair Bin Salon and Barbershop during its 40th anniversary celebration.  

Albornoz explained the impact the outreach store has on the community.

“It’s key for many families that are struggling that need a bit of help at a moment in their lives,” she said. 

“We have people that might be struggling for money because they need to fix their car, so that takes a lot of money out of their pockets, and they no longer have enough for groceries, so they come that month and ask for some help,” said Albornoz. 

According to Albornoz, donations to services like the outreach store are important because Fort St. John relies on community support. 

“The community itself is very generous,” she said. “I have seen this firsthand…I am very surprised [by] how much people donate.”

The store is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Mondays, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. 

Anyone who wishes to donate food or clothing can do so directly at the outreach store at 9912 96 Ave. Donations can be dropped off at the back of the store. 

Monetary contributions, such as checks, can be dropped off at the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Office on 9908 96 Ave. E-transfers can be sent to fundraising@fsjwrs.ca. Donations can also be made on the society’s website.