Showing Up When It Matters Most: How Co-op Helps Strengthen Communities in Times of Crisis

When wildfires swept across Western Canada in 2025, thousands of people were forced to leave their homes with little more than the essentials. Families faced uncertainty overnight, emergency responders worked around the clock and communities searched for stability in the middle of a crisis.

Through initiatives like Co-op Helps, Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has demonstrated what community leadership looks like in action, a commitment that earned the organization a nomination for the Canadian Fuels Association’s 2026 Community Champion Award.

For FCL and its network of local Co-ops, the question during those difficult days was simple: How can we help?

That question is at the heart of Co-op Helps, an emergency matching initiative that supports disaster relief and urgent community needs across Western Canada. Through the program, FCL matches donations made by local co-ops to Canadian Red Cross emergency appeals, helping communities respond quickly when disaster strikes.

But the impact extends far beyond financial support.

“In times of crisis, people benefit from familiarity and some level of stability when everything feels uncertain,” says Leanne Hawes, Vice-President, Co-op & External Relations, Federated Co-operatives Limited. “Our local co-ops are part of these communities. Our team members live here, work here and stand by their neighbours when support is needed most.”

During the 2025 wildfire season, local co-ops remained open whenever it was safe to do so, ensuring residents and emergency crews had access to essential supplies such as food, fuel and water. Employees volunteered their time, stores launched local fundraising campaigns and co-ops across the network stepped up to support one another. Through Co-op Helps, more than $176,000 was contributed to support wildfire-affected communities.

With more than 650 communities served across Western Canada and the North, the cooperative retailing system is uniquely positioned to respond quickly. Because each local co-op is deeply connected to the communities it serves, support comes not just from an organization—it comes from neighbours helping neighbours.

“Co-ops have long been community pillars, and in moments of need, that role matters even more,” says Leanne. “When communities need support, it’s important that we show up. People recognize that we’re truly local because we’re in it with them and they are not facing these issues alone.”

That commitment reflects a broader truth about Canada’s fuels sector. While the industry keeps people and goods moving every day, it also plays an important role in helping communities remain resilient during emergencies. From ensuring fuel is available for first responders to keeping essential services operating, the sector’s contributions often extend well beyond its day-to-day role.

For Hawes, one of the most inspiring aspects of the 2025 wildfire response was seeing local co-op employees step up for their communities. Some remained on the job whenever it was safe to do so, helping emergency responders access fuel, food and water while ensuring residents could continue to access essential services. Others supported neighbouring co-ops, demonstrating the strength of a network built on cooperation.

“The strength of cooperation and collaboration is needed more now than ever; it takes strong partnerships and people willing to step forward in response together,” says Leanne.

That spirit of collaboration extends beyond the cooperative network itself. Partnerships between local co-ops, FCL and the Canadian Red Cross allow support to reach communities quickly and efficiently, demonstrating what is possible when organizations work together with a shared purpose.

As climate-related emergencies become more frequent, initiatives like Co-op Helps highlight the important role businesses can play in supporting the communities they serve. Through trusted local relationships, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to helping others, FCL and its network of co-ops continue to demonstrate that community leadership is about more than responding to a crisis—it’s about standing beside people when they need it most.