about header

Our Mission

GBF's mission is to:

  • meet our clients' basic needs
  • promote wellness in our community
  • provide a safe and rewarding environment for our board, staff, and volunteers.

Our Vision

GBF's vision is:

  • to enable our clients and our community TO BE WELL.

We Value

Our team consists of benevolent volunteers and staff members that strive to imbibe the following principles in each service we provide:

  • A strong sense of social responsibility

  • A commitment to serving our clients with respect and compassion

  • A belief in the unique abilities, strengths, and gifts of each person

  • A belief in the capacity of people to grow, change, and care for themselves and one another

  • A commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, and integrity of service delivery

  • A recognition of the importance of volunteerism and citizen participation in the community

  • A dedication to research, education, and advocacy

Supporting Our Local Community

GBF Community Services is a registered nonprofit organization. For more than 58 years, we have been providing programs that support low-income households in Grimsby, ON.

2021 items provided

How We Started

GBF Community Services was founded by the late Mike Barretto. He was a committed volunteer and entrepreneur. In creating the Grimsby Benevolent Fund (GBF), Mike fulfilled his vision of bringing together the benevolent efforts of several organizations in Grimsby.

GBF Community Services

Our Team

head stacy

Stacy Elia

Chief Executive Officer
(905) 309-5664 ext. 33
[email protected]

GBF Community Services

Ashley Marr

Director of Programs
(905) 309-5664 ext. 25
[email protected]

Patrick Headshot

Patrick Kerry Holmes

Finance/Administration Manager
(905) 309-5664 ext. 28
[email protected]

2 Megan's Head Shot

Megan Kools

Food Program Manager
(905) 309-5664 ext. 21
[email protected]

01

Eleana Aleman

Food Program Coordinator
(905) 309-5664 ext. 22
[email protected]

Nolas-Headshot

Nola Gautreau

Retail Coordinator
(905) 309-5664 ext. 29
[email protected]

GBF Community Services

Bill MacLean

Receiving Coordinator
(905) 309-5664 ext. 30

head shot - 1

Allan Seabrook

Receiver & Truck Driver
(905) 309-5664 ext. 30

3 Emily's Head Shot

Emily Blackborow

Retail Assistant
(905) 309-5664 ext. 24
[email protected]

From the Desk of our CEO

Its all about the power of one. One caring person such as you, one volunteer, one staff member, one donation… one genuine act of kindness. But those “ones”, when multiplied by the compassion of hundreds of others, are making all the difference in the lives of our neighbours in need of assistance.

Yes, its tough not being able to solve the needs of everyone. But just because we can’t do it all doesn’t mean we should not do what we can. Help us today to make an impact on someone's life. We can do so much together when we invest in people – one child, one senior, one family at a time.

We are energized by the talent and commitment of our volunteers. Let us keep up the great work together!

Yours in Partnership,
Stacy Elia
Chief Executive Officer

Our Board of Directors

The Board of GBF Community Services is a governance board.  The directors are elected annually.  Directors work collaboratively with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the management team to ensure that GBF delivers on its fiduciary and strategic plan responsibilities.  Directors participate in board deliberations and decision making in matters of policy, finance, programs, personnel and advocacy.

Please see our Board of Director's 2023-2024 Strategic Plan HERE

President

Irene Podolak

Treasurer

Leanne Sidorkewicz

Recording Secretary

Justin Cruse

Directors

  • Frank Barretto

  • Linda Rowlison

  • Robert Paul

  • Jamie Stevens

  • Mary Wiley

Connect With Us

Learn more about what we do by reaching out to one of our team members.