David Busby Street Centre
Diversity, trust, support, hope, community
Businesses Play an Important Role for Not-For-Profits
From the Inside Out – Businesses Play Important Role to Non-Profit Organizations
Joe Corsaro – Local Business Owner
I presently own and operate the No Frills on Wellington St. in Barrie known as “Joe’s No Frills”. I previously owned a No Frills in Aylmer Ont. for ten years prior to taking over the No Frills in Barrie in January 2001. When I arrived, the 45 year old 18,000 square foot store at the Wellington Plaza was slated to be torn down and replaced with a new 36,000 square foot store on the same location.
In July 2004 the new store opened with an overwhelming response from the community doubling business over night. This transition could not have happened without our staff. They played a key role in managing the huge increase in customers and the volume of product moving through the store. Ten years later we have leveled off and adjusted to the ever changing and competitive grocery market. As a successful business you can’t take your foot off the gas peddle as there is always someone looking to capture a piece of your market share. We are continually aim to maintain competitive pricing to keeps our customers coming back.
Today we manage in a very competitive market serving approximately 18,000 customers a week with 100 employees working in both full and part-time capacities. No Frills as a company is close to celebrating thirty years of serving customers in Ontario and in the past few years has extended to Western and Eastern Canada with great success. Many things have changed in the way we get groceries to the stores, but one "thing has not changed at No Frills; Quality and great service at “Won’t Be Beat” prices".
Working in the grocery industry I have experienced firsthand the need for community organizations such as the David Busby Center. We serve our customers on a daily basis shopping for their families as we offer “Won’t Be Beat” food prices at a discount; this is our way of helping families meet their weekly budgets.
At Joe’s No Frills we are heavily involved in our community and give back in many different ways; over the years we have sponsored may local charity events, provided fund raisers for local Churches and Schools, continually working with many Service Clubs in the community to assist them with their efforts to raise money for the many causes they support.
Over the last couple of years we have been largely involved directly and indirectly with raising of funds for the RVH Cancer wing as many service groups and organizations come to us for food products to help them raise funds by way of BBQ’s, Bake sales etc.
Our relationship with the David Busby Street Centre began ten years ago when I was approached to sponsor them with a weekly gift card that would allow them to purchase food and or product items for their Drop-in Centre program. Last year when I met with their Resource Development Coordinator, Yolanda Gallo, I was thanked for my generosity and updated on the services they provide to our community; I had an idea of what they did but was very impressed with all the services they provide with such a small staff and lack of work space. This meeting shed a new light for me on the David Busby Center and its ongoing efforts. When I was told about the Mobile Outreach Program that now runs seven days a week as well as coordinating the Central Intake program for the Barrie Out of the Cold program, my decision to further support them was easy. In December we added to our partnership by supporting them with a first annual “Mobile Outreach Food Drive”. With the Van parked out front and staff manning a food box and donation jar, the Centre was successful in raising over $350.00 and filling several food boxes to get them through the holiday season thanks to the generous support of Joe’s No Frills patrons. We would like to develop this food drive event by hosting 2 food drives a year.
Now more than ever the need to support the David Busby Street Centre is rising as the ripple effect of job losses and employment pressure has driven up the need for the vital community service offered by the David Busby Center.
I was present for the recent donation of their newer Van, generously donated by South Barrie Collision Centre, what a great jester to fill a need for such a worthy cause. Joe’s No Frills was honoured to see our company logo on the Van for the partnership we have developed for the past ten years. It is everyone’s moral responsibility to assist ones in need and the Van being donated to the David Busby Center fills that need.
I send out a warm heart felt, congratulations to the staff and volunteers of the David Busby Street Center as the work you do does not go unnoticed. I have seen the smiles of the people you serve when your van arrives. A warm bowl of soup, a clean pair of socks, hats, mitts and a warm sleeping bag goes a long way on a cold winter’s day.
It’s easy to get caught up in our personal day to day lives and over look the needy and less fortunate. We are blessed in Simcoe County to have out reach programs like the David Busby Center that service the needs of those less fortunate.
When you see the David Busby Van make sure you give them a warm hello and thumbs up for a job well done.
Thank-you Barrie Examiner for allowing me to share my story and most importantly, thank-you to all the patrons who have made Joe’s No Frills their grocery store of choice.
The David Busby Street Centre Contact: PH:(705) 739-6916 email:getconnected@busbycentre.ca. Website: www.busbycentre.ca. Or Drop-in: 24 Collier St., Barrie (lower level of Trinity Church). Mobile Outreach – 1-877-845-0840.