Toronto, Ontario – January 31, 2025 – is thrilled to announce the winners of the 4th Annual Small Business Big Impact (SBBI) Awards. This year, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of small businesses that have made significant contributions to their communities and the environment.
“We are incredibly proud to recognize the winners of this year's Small Business Big Impact Awards. These businesses have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their communities and the environment, embodying the spirit of innovation and social responsibility,” said Kevin VanKampen, Senior Vice President, Business Banking. “At Meridian, we believe in supporting small businesses that make a big difference, and we are excited to see the continued positive impact these winners will have in the years to come.”
Community Impact Awards
First Place: 541 Eatery & Exchange, Hamilton
541 Eatery & Exchange is a non-profit pay-it-forward cafe dedicated to helping neighbours overcome the impacts of isolation, poverty, and injustice. By cultivating a community of mutuality and welcoming all neighbors regardless of their circumstances, identity, or status, 541 Eatery & Exchange has made a profound impact on the well-being of their community. They have been awarded $50,000 for their exceptional efforts. The cafe offers nourishing and affordable meals in a welcoming environment and supports community programs through volunteer efforts.
Second Place: First Fish, Toronto
First Fish is a provider of wild-caught seafood and a non-profit organization that invests in building sustainable fisheries in remote communities. Any surplus funds are used to support the growth of the fisheries through training, equipment, capacity building, and exploratory research, as well as local activities that benefit the communities, such as arts and tourism developments. They have been awarded $15,000. First Fish focuses on creating sustainable economic opportunities for Indigenous communities by promoting traditional fishing practices.
Third Place: Parkdale Project Read, Toronto
Parkdale Project Read provides a Literacy and Basic Skills program that helps learners gain personal independence, expand their employment opportunities, or pursue further education. The organization supports learners at different levels of literacy and offers an Academic Upgrading Program. They have been awarded $5,000. Parkdale Project Read operates an adult learning center in the Parkdale community and focuses on improving literacy and basic skills among adults.
Environment Impact Awards
First Place: Rethink Resource, Toronto
Rethink Resource is North America's most comprehensive and environmentally friendly waste management company. Their mission is to reposition waste as a valuable resource by providing innovative, data-driven solutions to complex waste challenges across various industries, including foodservice, film, and construction. They have been awarded $50,000. Rethink Resource aims to transform waste management by promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
Second Place: EarthSuds, Toronto
EarthSuds is committed to a plastic-free economy where sustainability does not compromise quality. They have been awarded $15,000 for their efforts in minimizing the environmental impact of their operations and products. EarthSuds offers dissolvable tablets of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap that are sustainable and convenient for travel. The company’s ambitious goal is to replace all single-use plastic bathroom products with sustainable EarthSuds alternatives.
Third place: Ouroboros Deconstruction, Toronto
With an innovative and planet-friendly mission, Ouroboros approaches each project with the same goal: to efficiently deconstruct a home so that the value of extracted materials may be recovered and their utility extended. They have been awarded $5,000. The process ensures that these materials remain within the supply chain and out of landfill.
Additional Awards
The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show, awarded for the most nominations, is a charitable organization dedicated to bringing high-quality, diverse, and engaging outdoor film programming to communities across the city. Their festival features a mix of popular and critically-acclaimed films from around the world, alongside local and Canadian films that celebrate homegrown talent.
The Muskoka North Good Food Co-operative, awarded for top co-operative, connects local farmers to consumers through a grocery retail market, café, and commercial production kitchen. As a community-owned grocery store and food hub, they provide sustainable, ethical, and good food to the communities they serve. Both organizations have been awarded $5,000 for their outstanding contributions.
Meridian is proud to support these incredible businesses and their contributions to making a positive impact on our communities and the environment. We look forward to seeing their continued success and the lasting benefits they bring to society.
For more information about the SBBI Awards and this year's winners, please visit our website.
About Meridian
Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and one of the largest in Canada. Guided by our purpose, “helping you achieve your best life,” Meridian delivers personal, and wealth financial business solutions to over 380,000 Members. Our bold Meridian for Good strategy is aimed at helping people get access to the money and advice they need; plan for a better future that is clean, resilient, and diverse; and be financially confident. Meridian has two operating subsidiaries: Meridian OneCap Credit Corp (“MOCC”) and motusbank. For more information, please visit: meridiancu.ca.
We acknowledge the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
Media contact:
Erick Bauer, Meridian
Erick.Bauer@meridiancu.ca; 416-587-4185