“The businesses we are supporting are our neighbours, our friends and the very people who make up Hamilton and Halton." - Julia Savoy, Director, Hamilton/Halton’s Community Haul.
HAMILTON, ON – May 13, 2021: As small retailers and producers in the Hamilton/Halton region feel the economic effects of a decline in tourism and fewer people venturing into shops, a local subscription box business has launched to help them reach new markets.
Hamilton/Halton Community Haul recognized that small businesses are significantly affected by the pandemic economic downturn and wanted to develop a new sales channel to showcase some of the region’s most unique businesses.
“The businesses we are supporting are our neighbours, our friends and the very people who make up Hamilton and Halton,” says Julia Savoy, Director, Hamilton/Halton’s Community Haul.
She continues, “Never has there been a time that these companies need the support of their community and Hamilton/Halton's Community Haul is a vehicle to help these businesses, and at the same time we are donating to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation, a place that supports our families during the most difficult times.”
Canadian Federation of Independent Business statistics tell us that over 70 per cent of that money stays directly in the community when you shop locally. When you purchase from large, global corporations, that number is only 14 per cent.
Community Haul subscribers will receive a gift box containing five to six locally sourced and produced goods each month. The goal is to support more than 100 local Hamilton/Halton businesses each year with bulk orders and donate $5 from every box sold to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation.
“It gives me tremendous pleasure to welcome Hamilton Halton Community Haul to our Care4 family,” says Tamara Pope, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “I want to thank Julia and the Community Haul team for their innovative approach to supporting local small businesses at this critical time. By also joining the Care4 program they are further demonstrating their commitment to community while giving back to support vital cancer care.”
The box will feature the best that the regions have to offer, including beautiful art and craft pieces, clothing, specialty foods and culinary goods.
“As the owner of a small and growing local business, this pandemic has been tough. Between supplier issues, store closures and having to operate a business safely and responsibly – growing the business and trying to achieve our mission's goals has been a challenge. Comeback Snacks could not have gotten to where it is without the support of organizations like Community Haul who not only support great causes, are providing a boost to local businesses and helping us all make a comeback!” - Emily O'Brien, Founder of Comeback Snacks
Community Haul subscription boxes will be available in two options:
The Long Haul: $53 plus tax per month for a one-year subscription (one box per month)
No Strings Attached: $61 plus tax per box, per month, and allows you to cancel at any time
$5 from every box will be donated to Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation. The boxes will be assembled and mailed by Best Pack, a social enterprise that supports Community Living Oakville’s efforts to provide quality services and support to people who have a developmental disability so they can live active, rewarding and fulfilling lives.
To subscribe or find out more about becoming a vendor, visit hhcommunityhaul.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Julia Savoy
Director, Hamilton/Halton Community Haul
julia@communityhaul.ca
905-220-7440
Michael Cordeiro
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
cordeiromi@hhsc.ca
905-870-3987
Kym Taal
Terra Cotta Foods
Hamilton/Halton Community Haul Vendor Partner
ktaal@terracottafoods.com
About Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation and Care4:
Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation, as part of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, provides vital funding to enable the best possible patient care at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. The Foundation inspires and motivates gifts that fund medical equipment and patient amenities, innovative research initiatives, essential redevelopment of clinical care spaces, and the education and training of health care providers.
Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre is one of Ontario’s most comprehensive cancer centres and the only site in south-central Ontario treating all cancers. It is one of three centres in Ontario providing all forms of stem cell transplants supporting patients with blood cancers. It is also home to the Regional Cancer Program, which coordinates cancer care with partners based across Hamilton, Brant, Haldimand, Niagara and Burlington.
Care4 is an innovative fundraising partnership that empowers businesses to demonstrate social responsibility by making a financial commitment on behalf of their customers to Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. The principle of the program is simple, yet powerful in its multiplier effect. When consumers make a purchase from a Care4 partner, a portion of the purchase directly supports patient care, education, research and equipment across the supported sites of Hamilton Health Sciences.
