Jeff Brierley, store owner of Brierley’s Your Independent Grocer (YIG), has always been dedicated to making a positive impact in his local community. From coaching basketball teams to delivering food baskets during the holidays, he has consistently sought ways to give back.Jeff Brierley, store owner of Brierley’s Your Independent Grocer (YIG), has always been dedicated to making a positive impact in his local community. From coaching basketball teams to delivering food baskets during the holidays, he has consistently sought ways to give back. Upon becoming a franchisee, Jeff felt a deeper connection to his store and saw an opportunity to support the community in a meaningful way. After learning about the high number of households living below the poverty line in Riverside South, Jeff realized the need for increased food assistance. Inspired by his belief in the responsibility of food operators to help others, Jeff offered his store as the location for The Community Table, a 100% volunteer-run food bank. He worked tirelessly to design the space and ensure its efficiency. On May 6, 2024, The Community Table Food Pantry officially opened its doors at Brierley’s YIG. To maintain the privacy of those in need, the food bank is discreetly located within the store, with no signage directing customers to its presence. Customers are guided by PC Express to pick up their items, ensuring a dignified experience. Jeff’s commitment to giving back is unwavering. He believes that food operators have the unique ability to make a significant impact by utilizing their resources to provide essential nourishment to those who need it most. Through The Community Table Food Pantry, Brierley’s YIG is playing a vital role in alleviating food insecurity and fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.
Jeff Brierley always knew he wanted to make a difference in the local community, from coaching basketball teams across the street from his store to delivering baskets of food with his family to people in need during the holidays.
With a long-term goal of becoming a franchisee, he accepted the role of store owner for what is now known as Brierley’s Your Independent Grocer® (YIG) in 2023 and felt more connected to the store than ever before. “Knowing that this is now ‘my space’ has made this fun on a whole other level,” says Jeff. “Everyone is nice, the customers are amazing, and I’ve built such meaningful relationships. It really feels like home.”
A time of need created an opportunity for Brierley’s to directly support their local community; after a demographic study was conducted, it was found that there were over 600 households living below the poverty line in Riverside South. Food banks across the city were overwhelmed with families in need of food and many other resources, which in some cases has doubled or tripled since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“I believe that as food operators we have a huge opportunity (almost a privilege) to help people,” says Jeff. “Grocers have the natural ability to give back more than the average person and can make such an impact.”
Last year, Jeff was invited to a Riverside South councillor community partner meeting and spoke about his relationship with the Ottawa Food Bank, a charity he has been involved with for years. After hearing about the need for food and space to house another local food bank, it was a no-brainer. Jeff immediately offered his store to host The Community Table, a 100% volunteer-run food bank in Riverside South.
Jeff cleaned out what was previously a dietician’s office and worked with an engineer to design the space effectively and efficiently. The Community Table Food Pantry officially opened its doors at Brierley’s YIG on May 6, 2024.
While proud of this initiative, it is not something that is widely publicized in the store. There is no signage directing customers to the food bank and everything is located inside the space, to make those in need feel like any other customer. When customers enter, they are escorted by PC Express to pick up their items.
“If there’s an opportunity to help, I want to give back,” Jeff says. “The way we can impact our community the most is with food. People need it and we have the resources to provide it, so that’s exactly what I want to do.”
