As you might imagine, Paintbox Catering and Bistro in Toronto’s Regent Park has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without gatherings, there have been no big corporate events to cater, to generate revenue for their social enterprise, which intentionally hires people from the local community who face barriers to employment. But Allison Gibson, Director of Impact & Operations, has ensured that they’ve made use of their space and model of doing good while making a profit.
Alongside running the catering and bistro, Paintbox has been incubating local business start-ups, and Allison shares how, in light of the changing COVID-19 world, they have pivoted (or perhaps completely changed), to support one of their incubation businesses, taking on the operations of Nibbly, an online grocery service offering same day delivery. They’ve incorporated their B Corp ethos, and are hiring from the community. They offer special pop-up sales to the local Regent Park community at a discount and are providing places for neighbours to leave what they can and take what they need.
Clients with compromised health have benefitted from the same day deliveries since the early days of COVID when traditional grocery stores’ delivery schedules were booked a month out.
You’ll hear how purpose and contagious passion have driven Allison to take on this challenge, dedicating long days to learn a new industry and figure it all out, to help people in Regent Park gain food security in a difficult time. Thank you, Allison!
Resources:
- Paintbox Catering and Bistro: http://paintboxbistro.ca
- Nibbly: https://nibbly.ca
- Allison Gibson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliegib
B Corp Canada: https://bcorporation.net/about-b-lab/country-partner/canada
Additional B Corp Impact Conversations Podcasts: