Work ongoing for food pantry move, expansion
Todd A. Bassett, vice president of Glacier Bank and Sid Rundell, president of the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Polson look at renovations being made at the future location of the Loaves and Fishes food pantry. Bassett was there to present a donation on behalf of Glacier Bank to assist in the food pantry's renovations.The food pantry is tripling its size and hopes to stay open for more days out of the week.
POLSON — It wasn’t long after the Folkshop III recycling center at 904 1st St. closed and was sold before the building’s new owners saw it was badly in need of some tender loving care.
In the spring of last year, Loaves and Fishes food pantry purchased the 3,100 square-foot building to expand from its current location at 10 8th Ave. E. The old building was only 1,100 square feet.
But first, the new building would have to undergo months of renovations.
“The first thing we had to decide was whether we were going to save the building or not,” contractor Hu Beaver said.
Beaver, along with Bryan River, coordinator of labor for Loaves and Fishes, and Don Eastman, of Treasure State Concrete, made an inspection of the building shortly after its purchase. Their findings were reported to the Loaves and Fishes board members and the decision to make renovations was made.
“Last fall we decided to renovate because it would be less expensive than demolishing the building and rebuilding on the property,” Loaves and Fishes board president Sid Rundell said.
Loaves and Fishes treasurer Jules Clavadetscher said many local businesses are making monetary donations or donating labor, which is reducing the cost of the remodeling.
Treasure State Concrete offered $20,000 of in-kind services. Western Building Center and Construction provided all materials at a discounted price, an estimated savings of $4,000. Also, KT Cabinets offered $2,500 in pro bono work.
The Loaves and Fishes food pantry has been operating at its current location for approximately 25 years. They plan to move into the new location sometime in late March or early April.
The Loaves and Fishes food Pantry purchased the building using money from the Town Pump Foundation Food Pantry Match Program. They raised $5,000 in donations in 90 days, which was matched by Town Pump Inc.
Clavadetscher said that the increase in demand from the struggling economy has prompted the decision to purchase a larger building.
“We just plain don’t have any space to store enough can goods and other foods,” Rundell said.
In the last three years the need for assistance from the Loaves and Fishes food pantry in Polson has risen sharply. In 2007, 2,913 people needed assistance, with 98,500 pounds of food being distributed. In 2009, the number of people needing assistance jumped to 6,942, with 156,752 pounds of food being distributed.
Rundell said he hopes the food pantry can stay open more days at the new location. The food pantry is currently open two days out of the week, Tuesdays and Fridays.
River said the new location was totally uninsulated and that the plumbing and siding was in bad shape. He said that the windows had to be redone because they were all single pane.
Beaver said the renovations that still needed to be made on the old building were: installation of cabinets and appliances, shelving, trim work and painting.
If you wish to make a donation to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry to assist with their renovations, you can contact president Sid Rundell at 883-6864.