Vince's Market and its customers are marking the first year of an initiative that gives back to the community with a donation of more than $25,000 to four local charities.
In each of the communities where the independent grocer has a retail outlet, customers have been purchasing certain products knowing that 15 per cent of the total sales would be going to a local non-profit organization.
Each recipient — Doane House Hospice in Newmarket, Blue Door Shelters in Sharon, Tottenham Food Bank, and Uxbridge/Scugog Animal Control Centre — received a cheque for the amount raised in their community store at a presentation at Vince’s Market in Newmarket yesterday.
Vince’s Market launched its community product initiative last January as an additional way to provide much needed funds and support to charities, said partner, CFO and controller Giancarlo Trimarchi.
“This is important to us. We feel it’s our job as a member of the community to support — and, I hope, to also inspire support of — charity organizations,” the longtime local resident told NewmarketToday.
“You can see there is a lot of need for additional funds in our communities,” he added.
Doane House Hospice executive director Juliet Irish welcomed the initiative not only for the much needed donation of $6,423 but also the increased awareness of her organization’s services.
The hospice provides non-medical support for those affected by or caring for, an individual with a life-threatening illness, as well as bereavement support. The donation will go toward the caregiver self-care program.
Blue Door Shelters, which operates Leeder Place, Porter Place and Kevin’s Place, emergency housing facilities for families, men and youth in York Region, will direct its donation of $5,712 to employment and housing start-up programs, life skills and support groups, business director Emmy Kelly said in a news release.
“These are designed to empower clients to connect to the community and thereby increase their chances of retaining housing,” she said.
Also, $7,877 was raised for the Uxbridge/Scugog Animal Control Centre and $5,152 for the Tottenham Food Bank.
Vince’s Market is continuing the initiative that was so eagerly embraced by its customers and staff, with the final tally of $25,156 “exceeding expectations”, Trimarchi said.
The funds are already growing weekly as customers buy the products identified in each flyer as supporting the 2019 recipient charities that they help select.
The company website tracks the progress of the funds raised.
Vince’s Market also provides support to community organizations through a corporate philanthropy program of sponsorship and employee participation.
