It’s a program called Power Start — and it helps ensure young elementary students are fed properly and make it to class on time.

Run by the Boys and Girls Club of Kamloops, the program had been funded by the Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way — but it had found a partner willing to step up and fund the much-needed program in Pollard Banknote.

That was until the Nov. 5 announcement the company is closing its operation in Dallas by the end of February.

While nearly 200 employees with Pollard Banknote will be out searching for jobs, United Way is scouring to fill the hole left by the departing company’s fundraising efforts.

Employees of the lottery-ticket maker had made a commitment to fund Power Start, but now it appears unlikely.

Melodie Grabner, director of resource development with the United Way, told

KTW her organization will continue to fund the program in the absence of Pollard Banknote.

However, she said, this means the money being used for Power Start will not be available for other United Way programs.

But it’s not just the Power Start program that’s affected — the Winnipeg-based company was one of the top 15 fundraisers for the United Way’s annual campaign.

Employees have raised about $30,000 a year and had just come off their most successful campaign ever.

Grabner said it’s not only the money that’s gone.

“We’re losing our friends and volunteers,” she said.

“We never want to lose part of our community. It’s always sad.”

With the losses of Weyerhaeuser, Adams Lake Lumber and Convergys, the United Way is hoping its other big donors — like Domtar and Highland Valley Copper — will step up and fill the void.

And, while Pollard Banknote’s pullout will hurt charitable organizations, it could also put a dent in the city’s tax base.

The company owns the land and building in Dallas and pays $83,000 in taxes, based on its assessed value for 2009.

While the valuation won’t change for 2010, since assessments are completed by July, it could affect the city the following year, depending on what happens to the property.

Pollard Banknote’s co-CEO Gordon Pollard told KTW the company will likely sell the building once operations shut down.

Mayor Peter Milobar called the layoffs “disappointing news,” but suggested the city is still faring better than most communities through the economic slump.

He said the city is also working with Venture Kamloops to attract new businesses to town.

As for Venture Kamloops, executive director Dan Sulz wouldn’t discuss companies that may be interested in locating in the city.

“There are some fairly large companies looking at Kamloops,” he said.

Sulz said his organization will also be meeting with existing businesses to better understand their challenges in an effort to keep more from leaving town.