“Rough Edge” Business Plan Proposal
1. Overview of the Programs Mission purpose
Satisfy a need identified in the James Bay and Inner City region of Victoria, BC, facilitation of bridge and provide for a known gap in mobility limited individuals {senior/disabled care} by providing supplemental “Roughage” in the form of prepared 100-150 gram portions of fruit and vegetables a few times a week to shut-ins and drop-ins. We have identified sources for provision of fresh donated raw ingredients. There is a willing mature community of able retirees, and young adults to be volunteer packagers and deliverers from a small central food preparation location in James Bay. The nutritional benefits, to our market audience is seen in various reason. We can assist through brief social contact by use of engaging clients and volunteer. This interaction would benefit therapeutically, and nutrition support a large absence of those suffering from emotional disorders and are physically otherwise enabled. We can with this projects aims discourage the sensation of anxiety and assist in rehabilitation of involvement as a method of treatment for a very wide range of emotional based disorders, or other similar challenges. The synergetic balance of needs to ability has a cognitive capability which can benefit both social groups effectively and in harmony.
2. Vision
a. At the end of year 1 (Spring 2015) we plan to have the James Bay operation working 5 days per week, with home deliveries on Tuesday-Thursday. We expect to have five volunteers working on deliveries (part time in preparation) and two others working just on preparation and clean up. This would serve about 120-150 shut-ins served twice per week, and a further 200 drop-ins served whenever they drop in. The financial goal would be to break even at a small charge for shut-ins ($2-3 per delivery), with grants from local social welfare agencies, churches and other charitable business groups or foundations.
b. At the end of year 2 (Spring 2016) the James Bay operation will have stabilized at its optimum potential, and two new operations would be close to where James Bay was a year earlier, perhaps in Esquimalt and Sevenoaks/Marigold. Total volunteer staff would be 20, with 4 part time paid staff to support them.
3. Strengths
a. There are benefits to both clients and staff from the regular contact. There is no major start-up cost as we have found from running the Rainbow Kitchen that there are adequate supplies of fresh raw materials and a large pool of potential volunteers. Unlike Rainbow Kitchen, emphasis is to serve food that requires no cooking, but ready to be consumed.
b. The three prime movers have experience in food preparation, and delivery to those in need through the Rainbow Kitchen. Two of the prime movers have military training and experience, which has shown the need for veterans to have appropriate volunteer opportunities.
4. Weaknesses & Threats
a. Some people in James Bay may think they are “above” such “charity”, and the same is true of other areas. Some volunteers may not stay the course, especially those who expect therapeutic benefits.
b. We shall need help in promoting the service, but plan to do this through existing agencies, churches etc.
5. Opportunities
a. The clientele will be those people on existing medical fixed income programs, or pensionable assets, who have trouble getting fresh produce, either for disability or financial reasons. No intention will be removed for economics considerations, so that all mobility issues can included into the program.
b. The operating revenue will be collected each visit by the volunteer, and a donation box will be provided for drop-ins. Grants and other help-in-kind will be by direct solicitation. Commercial, and Community service groups are already showing a will be supporting this initiative.
6. Revenue
a. Prices have been set to cover cash costs. Sales targets have been set using demographic data to estimate that over 70 % of the Postal Codes of downtown Victoria (specifically about V8V, V8W, and V8S) will have people with mobility and nutritional restrictions that will contribute if asked.
b. Much of what we need has already been promised by donors, e.g. office space, surplus fresh produce etc. Cash expenses are mostly for office and admin costs, some of which can be also donated. The project team has shown keen ability to seek items, consumable and fixed assets from personal will to see the program setup be achieved.
7. Initial Spending
a. The plan is not to require a start-up loan, but any funds provided would be used as working in kind donations of resources to establish a pilot year programs development. The sole purpose is to manage the food provision aspect, while demonstration fiscal responsibility.
8. Plan B
a. If the James Bay operation fails, we would pack up our tents and withdraw to think again. This is why it is important to us to avoid committing capital or start-up expenses that may not be recoverable.