379 Queen Street West Toronto Ontario M5V 2A5 T: 416- 596-6822 F: 416- 596- 0238 STUFF@Coopersoffice.com
HONOURABLE MENTION 2003
STUFF Canada seeks to reduce homelessness and poverty by providing the not-for-profit as well as charitable sectors in the greater Toronto region with access to sources of surplus goods and services that will benefit and support charitable activities aimed to assist the most vulnerable in our society. STUFF Canada encourages and inspires business people and private individuals to build stronger community by learning how to contribute time and resources in meaningful ways. Our future vision includes supporting the replication of this program throughout the country.
About the Innovative Program
Significant cutbacks to social services in the 90’s created more poverty among our vulnerable population. In addition, there was a growing amount of surplus used office and home furnishings being discarded. Few mechanisms were in place to divert surplus goods to potential users. Although organizations such as goodwill and Salvation Army existed, they served a limited population and were about to discontinue their pickup services. Although GIK organizations such as In Kind Canada existed, collaboration was a hit and miss thing due to a lack of warehousing, networking, business involvement and education.
It had been identified that, in order to fight increasing poverty, it was imperative that grass roots organizations respond to this societal challenge with a sense of responsibility for our fellow beings. The critical need was to develop a program modeled on the rapid response model used by emergency services. this would enable business people who called and said that they were about to send 50 desks or 300 mattresses to the dump could have these items picked up immediately. Generally the private sector waits to the last minute to indicate they have a GIK opportunity and unless you can respond to this time crunch the gift is lost. This rapid response is accomplished by STUFF’s immediate networking capability. With the temporary use of a 65,000 foot warehouse whenever needed, and amenable trucking companies who can respond the same day, STUFF can effect the rapid transfer of goods from donor to recipient.
The innovative solution was:
To create an NGO that was organized and operated by business people who had worked and continued to work in the corporate world, and who brought to the challenge all the credibility, contacts/networks and respect that owning a successful business for years brings.
The result has resonated with other business people who trust that their time will not be wasted and their generosity not misused.
The organizational structure is simple, accessible, efficient, and highly effective, utilizing an existing business facility, notable experience with furniture, food, equipment, sourcing and distribution, minimal staff time, and very little cost. Since STUFF understands and works within the culture and language of business, it enables the organization to access In Kind resources and build networks.
An essential aspect of this innovation is the significant energy and time devoted to building trusting relationships with hundreds of agencies that would be the beneficiaries of STUFF’s efforts. Successful partnerships were and continue to be rapidly created between STUFF and the not for profits /charities it serves, as well as with its many donors in the community.
As a result of its performance and caring communication, STUFF has become highly trusted by the third sector. With encouragement from STUFF, many agencies have learned to share donated goods and resources on numerous occasions, resulting in positive and Cooperative relationships between formerly competitive entities.
An exciting result of STUFF’s work has been the creation of partnerships between specific corporations and agencies, allowing STUFF to stand back knowing that, as a result of education and networking, ongoing benefits would continue independently. This evolution has allowed STUFF to focus on building new partnerships and networks, thus expanding our ability to utilize our resources efficiently and effectively.
