Food Pantry Works To Move Back To Original Store
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Food Pantry Works to Move Back to Original Store
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Broadwater Food Pantry members are working hard to get back into their store at 315 Broadway. They were forced to move down the street to 321 Broadway when the building they occupied was seriously flooded.
According to board Chairman Daryl Blumhagen, they are working with building owner Jermey Wegner to completely renovate the inside of the building after a late May flooding caused a pipe from an unoccupied upstairs apartment to break. Wegner replaced the roof of the building as well. However, he has had issues with continuing leaks.
Food Pantry members were able to rent another location just down the street until renovations could be completed. Blumhagen did not give any estimate on when the repair work would be finished. “Jeremy is doing most of the work himself so it is a slow process. He also must hire the electrical and plumbing work done too so getting back into the building is going to take awhile,” he explained.
The Food Pantry has continued to serve its clients the first and third Saturdays of each month throughout the summer. Church members from the community volunteer on Saturdays to help clients pick up their groceries for the week. This week two volunteers from the Methodist church helped so board members jumped in to help also. According to new board member, Paula Van Haudt numbers of people needing food has been ticking up, so the pantry needs more volunteers to work.
Van Haudt talked about renovation work at the original store, while she was helping move out furniture. “We really do need anyone who is interested to donate funds. We will use them to restore this space,” she said.
With changes coming to the board, new ideas for getting the work done will surface. Van Haudt replaced Kelli Lewis as vice president. Operations manager Karoline Nelson has retired. Trina Bergman will take her place.
People who wish to donate can send a check to P.O. Box 1164. For more information contact Trina Bergman (360) 562-1971.
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PhotoCredit: MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Logo
Image 2 Caption: Food Pantry Board President Daryl Blumhagen works to move forward on repair of Food Pantry Store.
MT43 News Photographer
Image 3 Caption: Board members and volunteers help clients load groceries Saturday morning.
MT43 News Photographer
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