News

MEDIA RELEASE – SSVP Thrift Store Receives OTF Accessibility Grant

June 17, 2023

Brantford, ON – On Saturday June 17th, local MPP Will Bouma met with the team at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) Thrift Store to hear more about the $10,400 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to install an automatic door. The new door increases accessibility to the store for shoppers with mobility challenges and fosters a climate of inclusivity.

“I am pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation is supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in their efforts to becoming more accessible for people of all abilities,” said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “It is said that history will judge our community by how the most vulnerable are treated, and with this grant by the OTF, we are another step closer to helping all people that we serve.”

The SSVP Thrift store is open to all shoppers regardless of financial need. It also serves as the central hub for those that the Society serves through various forms of assistance. The neighbours that are served by SSVP Brant redeem vouchers at the store for non-perishable food, clothing, household items and furniture. In 2022, 2,774 neighbours received assistance from the Society. Many have some limitations with mobility, and it is important to ensure their ease of access.

In addition to the OTF grant, the SSVP Thrift Store was also celebrating its re-opening for shopping on Saturdays. During COVID, the store, which is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, was forced to decrease the hours that the store was open. The number of volunteers only recently allowed for a Saturday opening.

“We are greatly indebted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support,” said Rob Campbell, President of the SSVP Particular Council of Brant. “This grant allows us to better live up to our mission of serving our neighbours with love, justice, joy and respect by increasing accessibility for all who visit our store. We are also delighted to once again be open on Saturdays, allowing more flexibility for shoppers and those we serve.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Organization Contact for Media inquiries:
Rob Campbell, President
SSVP Particular Council of Brant
519-756-2115
ssvpbrant@gmail.com


Registry Week: Coming Together

On April 26th, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul participated in an event held by the City for those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Approximately 240 individuals attended “Registry Week: Coming Together”.


Two of our Thrift Store volunteers assisted in registering people on arrival. Participants were provided with a meal and an opportunity to connect with services appropriate to their needs. Free haircuts were also available.

At the Society of St. Vincent de Paul booth we distributed toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags , snacks, and small articles of clothing.

The City also undertook a Point in Time Count of those lacking shelter to determine the housing need within the community.


Saturday Shopping Announcement

SSVP Brant Thrift Store located at 143 Wellington opens its retail for Saturday shopping starting April 15, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  

We welcome new and current shoppers.

Shopping:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays AND Saturdays from 10AM to 2:30PM.

Donations:
We are accepting non-furniture, non-perishable food, and hygiene product donations on Saturday AND Wednesday mornings between 9 a.m. and noon at 143 Wellington St., Brantford.

Plastic bags and/or gently used reusable bags are also appreciated.

Furniture donations are accepted, by appointment for pick up or drop off, by emailing ssvpbrant@gmail.com with photos of the items on offer, the street address of any pick up location and a contact phone number OR call 519-751-0143


Volunteer (Unpaid) Cashiers Needed

We are seeking volunteers with cashier experience who would be available ONE Saturday per month. (Cashiers are unpaid volunteer positions)

Email us at ssvpbrant@gmail.com or call (519) 751-0143 for more information.

Help us make Saturday shopping a reality at the The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store!


ASSUMPTION COLLEGE SCHOOL, BRANTFORD SCARED HUNGER

On behalf of myself and the SSVP Brant volunteers, we would like to thank the Assumption College staff, students and community from the bottom of our hearts for all of your amazingly successful efforts on their food drive, We Scare Hunger!

Below is a picture of our food shelves taken Friday October 28 in the morning at the Thrift Store, 143 Wellington Ave. (Yes, pretty much bare!)

The economic fallout of COVID-19 followed by the war in Ukraine is having devastating effects on a great number of individuals and families in our community.

The committee, staff, students, and your entire community have gone a very long way to help alleviate a lot of the pain that many individuals are suffering.

Your collective positivism, energy, enthusiasm, and industry are a beacon to those who have all but lost hope. Despite all the doom, gloom, and negativism constantly portrayed on news and social media, the success of your campaign speaks loudly to the fact that there is a lot of goodness, support and love out there! All it needs is a spark to unleash it …

You have been the spark!

Kudos!

Rosewood House has already served up the fresh eggs, bread, naan and orange juice that we passed onto them from you, on the weekend.

We will use the $880+ donated to buy grocery store gift cards for our neighbours in need to purchase fresh food.

The Brantford Food Bank would also like us to thank you on their behalf for the 1350 lbs. (612kgs.) of food that we brought them from your donations.

Our neighbours in need will benefit greatly for many months from the 11,960 lbs. (5,425 kgs.) of food you have given us.

Yes, the total adds up to almost 7 tons!!!

Yes, you have collectively definitely made the world a better place to live in!

Please pass on our heartfelt congratulations to your committee, the administrators, staff, students, and community members!

You all are AWESOME!!!

Peter Giordano
VP Youth
SSVP Brant