Vaughan 2021
Longo's is a family-operated grocery chain in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. This year, Portraits of Giving honours the Longo’s store managers in Vaughan. Each of these individuals has been an integral part of the Longo’s family for many years: Rocco since 1980, Frank since 1991, Saverio joined in 1999, and Reno in 2004. They are dedicated to family first and being leaders and mentors to their teams at Longo’s. The many blessings that surround them serve as their inspiration to help others, whether that means coaching a son’s hockey team or helping to support initiatives within the Longo’s communities.
The spirit of giving, a natural part of the Longo’s culture, is what resonates most with Saverio, Reno, Frank, and Rocco. It’s simply part of who they are and what they do, and each is passionate to give back to the families who have supported them over the years. Frank and his team at Longo’s Weston feel a sense of belonging that stems from the culture of treating you like family. They also share a sense of Voglia! It’s that passion and desire to push for a better tomorrow. It’s what drives them every day.
The sense of team pride is loud and clear. Thinking about what the pandemic of 2020-21 has been like, everyone rallied and has remained devoted more than ever to serving the Vaughan communities and helping to provide food and essentials in a safe environment. The unexpected part has been the immense love and appreciation expressed by their guests for the hard work and long hours put in by their staff. In many cases, Longo’s team members have far exceeded their job descriptions. As an example, Reno recounts how he had several of his team members volunteer their lunch time to help shop for guests who couldn’t physically come into the store. He sums it up by saying, “That spirit of giving and doing whatever it takes to help others is infectious. It’s so inspiring.”
As leaders at Longo’s, the Vaughan managers discuss the uncertainty and extraordinary demands of the pandemic, which meant in part assisting others while ensuring their own physical and emotional well-being. Frank from Weston and Saverio from the Rutherford store say that it is a real priority for them to stay calm and mindful of their mental health. Saverio adds that not getting too wrapped up in all the news and social media surrounding the pandemic helps keep him in the right frame of mind, knowing that staying positive equips him to deal with any situation that might arise in the best way possible.
Brothers Tommy, Joe, and Gus opened their first location in 1956. Three generations later, the Longo’s legacy remains strong and rooted in community.