At 10:00 a.m. on August 24, the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry will hold a property blessing and groundbreaking for its new building at 318 N. Walnut Street. The general public is welcome to attend along with clients, volunteers, donors, public officials and pantry board members and committees.
Over the past 15 months, the pantry has raised more than 95% of its construction budget through gifts from businesses, families, memorials, churches and community organizations. Hartzog Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the project, and the project is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks.
As a 501©(3) non-profit organization, the mission of the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry is to engage the local giving community and volunteers to help serve our neighbors and work against food insecurity in Paulding County. It operates solely based on food and financial donations from the community and with the support of Feeding America and West Ohio Food Bank, of which it is a member.
The new 3,900-square foot building will help the pantry better serve its clients’ needs and will include the following features:
• Larger market area and larger stock room
• Check-in area that provides privacy to clients
• Large overhead door and loading area for ease of deliveries
• Client enrichment space for programs and support services
• Future plan for walk-in freezer
The pantry still needs about $30,000 to reach its goal. Donations can be sent in care of the Paulding County Area Foundation at 101 E. Perry Street, Paulding, Ohio 45879.
For more information about the pantry, volunteering opportunities and fundraising activities, follow the Caring & Sharing Food Pantry on Facebook. You also can contact the pantry, at (419) 399-9562 or info@caring-and-sharing.org.
