Smithville Food Pantry is one step closer to breaking ground on its new facility after receiving a zoning change and a variance on a sound barrier for their future location, but the organization still needs to raise funds or create a plan to piecemeal the project before construction can begin.
The pantry needs about $55,000 to complete the $260,000 project, said Dennis Snyder, treasurer of the food pantry and president of the Build Committee.
To counter lack of funds and still use $40,000 granted by Bluebonnet Electric before an April deadline, the Build Committee is working with the contractor, Meyerson Custom Builders, to revise plans so that the building can be built in two phases.
“Phase 1 will allow us to overlap construction, funded by the money we already have, with more fundraisers and grants upcoming that we will need to finish Phase 2,” Snyder said.
The food pantry is applying for grants that could potentially cover the remaining amount, but Snyder is cautious regarding final costs.
The two-lot piece of land at MLK and Lee streets has already been cleared and is ready for construction.
Located in an area zoned for single-family homes, the build site was granted a zoning change by the City Council Nov. 14 to a “community facility” after recommendations by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Also approved was a variance on the required sound barrier. The City Council agreed with the commission that a wall was not needed since the food pantry is not a sound-producing organization and is open to clients only for limited hours on Wednesday mornings and open Monday and Friday for food deliveries. The two neighbors present for the planning and zoning meeting had no objections, Snyder said.
The 3,483-square-foot indoor space includes a large waiting room so that clients no longer have to line up outside. It will also include a private consultation room, food pickup area, dry storage, cooler/freezer room, two bathrooms and an office. The 851-square-foot outdoor space will include a covered front porch, delivery dock and driveway.
The larger food storage and cooler spaces will allow the pantry to take advantage of special pricing on food, Snyder said.
Reed Morgan, president of the food pantry, said with the availability of private space for counseling, Health and Human Services representatives have indicated willingness to come to Smithville for those without easy access to travel to Bastrop.
Reed said that the space will also allow for screening and counseling of medical issues. A monitor is also planned to project health and nutritional education videos.
