January 03, 2013 OSSIPEE — Thanks to the generosity of citizens, businesses and the driving force behind keeping the project moving, Agape Food Pantry is well on its way to opening in its new location at Pine Hill Plaza.
The project has been in overdrive since Kevin and Janna Straughan were given a 30-day notice that their lease was up Dec. 28 in the pantry's former location at Ossipee Valley Bible Church.
On Dec. 28, Superior Insulation was onsite giving donated time and material to get the building insulated and the building was abuzz with plenty of other volunteer workers doing a variety of tasks such as installing the ceiling. Once the ceiling was complete, the light fixtures, all donated by Rockingham Electric, were set to be installed. As reported in our Dec. 20 issue, volunteers from around the state from IBEW Local #490 completed all of the electrical work that has passed inspection by the town's code enforcement officer and was just awaiting the electric company to power the building.
The pantry is scheduled to be open Wed. Jan. 2 to distribute food to the area's hungry and Janna Straughan said they will be open for business, even if they have to distribute food out of the truck in the parking lot. Andrew Meola, who the Straughan's credit with gathering donations from all over the Northeast said the pantry portion of the building will be done in time for the 1 p.m. opening time Jan 2 and there will be no need to distribute food out of trucks. Janna said Meola has just been "phenomenal" and has really been the one keeping the project moving, along with Nate Eddy.
The project has received thousands of dollars' worth of donations in materials and volunteer hours but is still in need of help. Meola said volunteers, especially those with the skills to tape and mud the 250 sheets of sheetrock that have been donated, are needed. For supplies, the project needs donations of carpet, vinyl flooring, exterior vinyl siding, as well as piping and radiators for the building's forced hot air heating system. A plumber or plumbers will to donate time would also be graciously welcomed to lend a hand.
Anyone interested in donating materials or their time, can contact Kevin Straughan at (603)677-6826. Meola said that once the project is complete, there are plans to do a ribbon cutting ceremony to thank all of the businesses and volunteers who have helped take a fire damaged building and transform it into a food pantry and thrift shop that serve hundreds of local people annually.
Agape Food Pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
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