Every Canadian has been hit financially in some way or another through the pandemic but with current inflation, it seems some are struggling more than others.  

Especially our friends to the north.

Local resident and accountant, Susan Kleinsasser, is currently trying to help a school in Nunavut after seeing a cry for help on social media.

"I'm in a lot of groups that try to help other people, on Facebook and Twitter, and then it just came across my feed. A teacher posted on, I think it was Facebook, that they're a very rural community, in Nunavut, and they are looking for dried goods and winter clothing. Because it's just the supply chain, right? It's $20 for four litres of milk...if you actually Google Northern food prices, you'll be stunned." 

Kleinsasser quickly jumped into action, posting in Foothills groups to see what she could collect for the students, teachers and families of Tusarvik School in Naujaat, Nunavut...our community quickly came to her aid.

"I asked for donations online and people sent stuff in and I shipped it up there and we use the prepaid boxes, you pay $34 and you can put in 11 pounds of stuff. We sent 8 boxes last week."

She adds, "Now I have more donations coming in, winter coats and stuff. And now I'm really looking for like Knorr soup mixes, Sidekicks...Kraft Dinner...powdered milk...anything that I can fill up an 11-pound box with." 

The local says along with donations, tips on what to send would be a huge help.

"I'm racking my brain for highly nutritious food that's a dry good, that's lightweight. So if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it." 

With her focus usually on local groups and families, when asked why she felt compelled to help a community 2,340 kilometres from Okotoks, the answer was easy for her.

"I'm very community-minded. I think we all have to look after each other as Canadians. Especially with inflation the way it is. We just need to hang in there together. I mean, I'm not an independently wealthy person, but I can certainly, you know, pay for a little bit of shipping here and there and collect donations." 

And as accountants, Susan and her team have seen how this pandemic has torn people's lives apart, so helping in any way only makes sense.

"I knew this year would be the hardest year, I actually had a team of psychologists come out and meet with me and my staff and a few other firms and just talk about the trauma that we've witnessed in the last two years with COVID. We've seen a lot...a lot of marriage breakups, a lot of seniors, they can't make ends meet...people are suffering. It's just not good at all."

If any Foothills residents would like to donate dried goods, clothing or even donations to help cover the cost of postage they can drop off at Susan Kleinsasser Accounting Inc. in Okotoks. 

"I'm hoping to inspire people", Susan says. 

The team will be collecting until April.