A local arts promoter has helped broker a deal with a local business on behalf of local community groups.
Tony Antonias was recently shopping at Buy-Low Foods in Westminster Centre, when he spotted a meeting space he thought would be beneficial to community members when parts of the New Westminster Public Library are closed for renovations.
“My suggestion is a very simple one: Get to know Buy-Low,” he said.
Antonias said Buy-Low Foods store manager Venicio De Bortoli is agreeable to allowing community groups to use the space at no charge while the library undergoes renovations. Buy-Low is in Westminster Centre at 555 Sixth St.
“Buy-Low Foods is here to support the community in more ways than helping to put food on the table,” he said in a press release.
The space is large enough to seat 15 people and is available at no charge seven days a week during store hours, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Anyone interested in using the space while the library is being renovated can call De Bortoli or a supervisor at 604-524-0654 to book the room.
Buy-Low Foods is one of the places that’s agreed to provide meeting space to local community groups once renovations get underway in September, beginning in the basement, then moving to the second and main floors.
Updates on the renovation will be posted on the library’s website at www.nwpl.ca. It also lists alternative meetings spaces for community groups.
Bosley’s gives back
Local animals’ lives are a whole lot better thanks to the folks at Bosley’s by Pet Valu at Columbia Square.
“One of my goals when I opened my Bosley’s store was to become part of the community and to contribute to part of the community,” owner Karima Jivraj recently told city council. “In the six years and three months we have been here, we have been really, really lucky. We have had a lot of support from our customers and we have been making a contribution to the New Westminster Animal Shelter consistently.”
In April, the store did a fundraising drive for two animal shelters in the Lower Mainland and provided the local shelter with nearly $8,000 in cash and supplies. In June, Jivraj presented city council with a cheque for $3,837 for the New Westminster Animal Shelter.
“Our goal is that the new shelter have all the bells and whistles that every animal could hope for until they find a new home,” she said.
Last year, Jivraj was nominated as Businessperson of the Year in the Platinum Awards.
