Grocer 4 Good, a local non-profit which operates on a small retail grocery store model at 133 Gore St., providing food to those in need while employing people who are experiencing barriers to employment and lacking critical skill development to build their career advancement, is temporarily closing its doors at 4 p.m. Friday, May 8.
The closure is linked to COVID-19 precautions.
Until then, Grocer 4 Good will remain open at reduced hours, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.
“We’re only 900 square feet in size, so social distancing and keeping it safe is definitely a challenge, so that’s why we’ve made that decision,” said Lisa Vezeau-Allen, Grocer 4 Good founder and president, speaking to SooToday Tuesday.
“We’re employing people who are facing barriers (but with COVID-19 restrictions), we’re not able to fulfill that mandate. We want to be able to provide them with a safe and healthy work environment. That's why we had to take a look at operations and make some decisions.”
“Even at reduced hours, it’s still difficult to keep that social distancing, especially when people are coming in for the larger food rescues. We want everyone to be safe, including our program manager, so the primary goal is ‘let’s keep it clean’ and be ready and able for when we’re back open for business,” Vezeau-Allen said.
“I’m hoping that we'll be back with full operations mid-June or the end of June. It really comes down to what’s coming down from the province and also what our caseload looks like in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma.”
Food rescue is still happening through Harvest Algoma’s other depots, food available at the Country Way Health Food Store, Salvation Army food bank and other locations, Vezeau-Allen said.
“(Meanwhile) if we do get a large rescue in, I’m certainly not against going in to volunteer and open up if we’re able to do that.”
Vezeau-Allen is confident the Grocer 4 Good closure will not be permanent, but stated she and the store’s management are playing it safely and proactively.
“Any non-profit right now is at risk (due to the COVID-19 shutdown),” Vezeau-Allen said, citing the hit YMCA facilities are experiencing across Canada, along with such performing entities as the National Ballet of Canada and the Stratford Festival (which rely on fundraisers, and are shut down indefinitely due to COVID-19 rules in Ontario forbidding public gatherings of more than five people).
“We’re being proactive. We’re paying our rent, we’re keeping our space, we’re keeping our staff safe, we’re safeguarding those startup dollars we do have to ensure we can continue the program,” Vezeau-Allen said.
