Bruce and Marlene Loraas and Family

Long-standing Saskatoon family, helmed by Bruce and Marlene Loraas, contributed an extraordinary $1,000,000 to the Nutrien Plant Possibility campaign. A classroom in the new Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre (SFBLC) facility will be named in honour of the family and be an educational hub, where individuals can learn about nutrition, employment, and other life skills.

Bruce was born and raised in Saskatoon while Marlene grew up on a farm near Milden, Saskatchewan. Marlene earned a Home Economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan and taught the subject in Saskatoon for a number of years before becoming a full-time homemaker. Bruce and Marlene raised their two children, Aaron and Jess, in Saskatoon.

Bruce launched Loraas Disposal Services in 1965 and successfully grew it over the next 55+ years. Bruce’s hard work, dedication, persistence, and integrity are attributes that he learned from his father, a Saskatoon businessman, and he integrated these values into his own business. 

When Bruce and Marlene’s son, Aaron, came to work at Loraas Disposal he witnessed these values in action. Philanthropy was always top of mind and therefore always in the budget. Friendship Inn, Saskatoon Interval House, The Lighthouse Supported Living, and the SFBLC were some of the local organizations supported by Loraas Disposal under Bruce and Aaron’s leadership.  The father-son team felt that the business was successful because of the community that supported them, and they wanted to give back.

Loraas Disposal’s relationship with the SFBLC extended beyond simply monetary support. The company provided in-kind disposal services for decades and staff often organized food drives for the food bank.

Upon the sale of Loraas Disposal in 2022, the family remained steadfast in their commitment to philanthropy. The Loraas’s decided they would carry forward the same philosophy and focus support on organizations providing essential services to families and children.  Inspired by Laurie O’Connor (SFBLC Executive Director)’s passion for the new facility project, the Loraas family knew they had found the perfect avenue to continue their legacy of giving.

Aaron Loraas sums up their philosophy succinctly: “Philanthropy should be full circle; if you’re doing well, the onus is on you to give back. Many of us take it for granted that we have a meal on the table but not everyone does.”

Proud members of the Saskatoon community, the Loraas family say it’s the people that keep them here. “We are a tight-knit community that looks after each other and we are proud to be part of it.  Going forward we will continue to support the community as best we can.”

Bruce and Marlene Loraas and their family’s remarkable generosity exemplifies their commitment to the betterment of Saskatoon.