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CARTHAGE — Managers, volunteers and supporters envisioned a bright future for the Village Ecumenical Ministries food pantry Sunday during the open house for its new facility on Washington Street.
Dozens of people filled the waiting room at the new 3,600-square-foot building, 495 S. Washington St., to celebrate the work Robert R. Sturtz, his employees from Slack Chemical Co. Inc. and several other volunteers invested in building the new facility; an effort some hope will allow the pantry to house more food, hygiene and cleaning products and services for the community. Members of the crowd explored the facility’s waiting room, serving area and storage room, which already had food and other donated items.
Village Ecumenical Ministries chairwoman Jody Mono said Saturday’s ceremony marked the 50th time she set foot into the building, which opened Aug. 28, but she was still taken aback every time. Mrs. Mono said she believed the new building was at least four times larger than the previous facility down the street at 452 S. Washington St., which housed the pantry since 2002.
“That’s why we’re in awe,” Mrs. Mono said. “Now with the added room, we’ll be able to bring in more and do more outreach.”
Mr. Sturtz cut the ribbon Saturday afternoon to the applause of many who thanked him for providing the pantry a new home.
The owner of Slack Chemical Co. said he wanted to finish construction last fall, but the cold and rainy weather delayed the project.
Mr. Sturtz leased the previous building to VEM for $1 annually, and he will continue that agreement with the nonprofit for the new facility.
When asked why he built the new facility for the food pantry, he said “because it’s the right thing to do.”
“It’s been kind of a dream of mine to do this simply to give back to the community,” he said.
“It feels good simply because there is a great need.”
In addition to Mr. Sturtz, Food pantry Director Darlene A. Jensen thanked several other contributors who helped build and furnish the new facility including Edward G. Olley of GYMO, Scott J. Sullivan of Aubuchon, president of Carthage Savings and Loan Thomas H. Piché and Thomas Williams.
“The thing that is most important to me is that we recognize Mr. Sturtz for what he’s done ... and not just for all us to say thank you, but for the whole community to say thank you,” she said. “I just wanted to thank all my volunteers who helped get this up and running.” About 30 descendants of Dorothy Clark, who directed the first food pantry in the 1980s in at her home on Stone Street, also attended the ceremony and shared in the excitement.
Susan K. Clark-Coughlin, one of Mrs. Clark’s three daughters, said she was elated to see the realization of a larger facility for the food pantry, something her mother yearned for decades ago, but also happy to see that the pantry sign still honors Mrs. Clark’s years of work and dedication.
“When I went by and saw that sign, it warmed my heart,” she said, adding that she hopes the pantry, with its new facility, “can serve more people.”
Mrs. Jensen said she wants to use the additional space to house more fresh and nonperishable food items, which the pantry purchases from Food Bank of Central New York and receives as outside donations, and hygienic items such as tooth brushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo and toilet paper.
The food pantry director also said she wants to provide classes that teach clients how to cook and eat healthy.
Mrs. Mono said she wants to open up the larger facility to the Carthage Free Library to help food pantry clients sign up for library cards and to organizations like Community Action Planning Council to provide services such as health insurance counseling.
“I think we’re able to better serve our community with this new facility,” said Mary K. Hall, who volunteers with the pantry.
