Walker Area Food Shelf Needs YOUR Help

Walker Area Food Shelf New Property Owners

This past year it was necessary for the Walker Area Food Shelf (WAFS) to look to the future as their 10 year lease ends in November at their current location.  The Food Shelf and the Clothing Depot are bursting at the seams, and more room is needed to better serve families and community.

Financial advice was obtained regarding their continuation to rent versus own.  They made a long term decision, and on February 21, 2017 purchased their own building.  The new location is at 8243 Industrial Park Road next door to Bi-Cap and Access North, and is currently being remodeled.  This will create a convenient hub in Walker for human service organizations serving the area. This property will nearly double the space and parking for the Food Shelf and The Clothing Depot.

This purchase did not require the Food Shelf to use any operating funds, and was made possible by three significant donations.  The Food Shelf was a recipient of the Super One  “Dash for Cash” fundraising event a few years back, and they received two legacy grants from estate family wills.  This was truly a blessing, and with reduced fees and interest from First National Bank of Walker their net mortgage amount will be about the same as their current rent.  This property provides lease space and monthly tenant income.

The Food Shelf Board felt it imperative their purchase be thoroughly and correctly explained as they need community help to complete the internal changes necessary to operate efficiently.  As they reached out to local contractors and vendors (Ric Cole Services, Ike’s Heating and Cooling, R W Electric, Nistler Flooring and Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating, they were over whelmed with their generosity and willingness to make this happen for the community.

• Ric Cole has already started outstanding carpentry, working nearly pro-bono, and with all volunteer help.
• Justin Isaacson reviewed their need for an additional furnace along with other heating and cooling requirements, and saved them thousands of dollars in procuring and installing what they needed.
• Russ Wood, owner of R W Electric and previous building owner, is providing extremely affordable electrical work which is extensive with 8 freezers, 3 refrigerators and 2 coolers.
• Roger Nistler has provided much needed expertise in removing carpet and glue along with loaning helpful equipment.  Nistler Flooring has also agreed to provide new commercial grade flooring at well below retail cost.
• Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating and Dumpsters, Tyler Crowe provided two dumpsters to remove all the carpet and debris, and waived all costs.
• Volunteers and with the Sheriff /Sentence to Serve, the carpet and glue has been removed (a horrible and difficult task), and the building is ready for new floor tile.

Every one of these business owners wanted to “pay it forward” in helping the food shelf help our neighbors in need.  They need to be thanked and supported.

Securing additional volunteers is very important to them now, as they have been leaning on a few people that came forward to help.  Their most heartfelt appreciation goes out to Doug Aird, Neal Bacon, Bill Carsten, Duane and Sherren Foss, Dan Goodwin, Harvey Hallett, Mark Joosten, Bev and Joe Jorland,  Greg Mehlhop, Fred Otto, Mike Pence, Sue Rezack, Rick Schmidke, Steve Swor, Carsten Watts, and the Sheriff for adding WAFS on the schedule for the Sentence to Serve.

Your help is needed:  They do not want to continue to place such a workload on a few, and are asking for additional volunteers.  The work yet to be finished includes placing additional sheet rock, taping and mudding (next priority), painting interior walls, installing new flooring, and then the move itself which will not be until late fall.  They generally work every Thursday starting at 8:30.   If you are able to provide any assistance, please email walkerfoodshelf@gmail.com or call 218-547-1313 (Walker Chamber of Commerce).  They will add your name to their list, and call ahead when certain work is coming up.  Please consider being apart of this community project.

Walker Area Food Shelf New Property Owners

 This past year it was necessary for the Walker Area Food Shelf (WAFS) to look to the future as their 10 year lease ends in November at their current location.  The Food Shelf and the Clothing Depot are bursting at the seams, and more room is needed to better serve families and community.

Financial advice was obtained regarding their continuation to rent versus own.  They made a long term decision, and on February 21, 2017 purchased their own building.  The new location is at 8243 Industrial Park Road next door to Bi-Cap and Access North, and is currently being remodeled.  This will create a convenient hub in Walker for human service organizations serving the area. This property will nearly double the space and parking for the Food Shelf and The Clothing Depot.

This purchase did not require the Food Shelf to use any operating funds, and was made possible by three significant donations.  The Food Shelf was a recipient of the Super One  “Dash for Cash” fundraising event a few years back, and they received two legacy grants from estate family wills.  This was truly a blessing, and with reduced fees and interest from First National Bank of Walker their net mortgage amount will be about the same as their current rent.  This property provides lease space and monthly tenant income.

The Food Shelf Board felt it imperative their purchase be thoroughly and correctly explained as they need community help to complete the internal changes necessary to operate efficiently.  As they reached out to local contractors and vendors (Ric Cole Services, Ike’s Heating and Cooling, R W Electric, Nistler Flooring and Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating, they were over whelmed with their generosity and willingness to make this happen for the community.

• Ric Cole has already started outstanding carpentry, working nearly pro-bono, and with all volunteer help.
• Justin Isaacson reviewed their need for an additional furnace along with other heating and cooling requirements, and saved them thousands of dollars in procuring and installing what they needed.
• Russ Wood, owner of R W Electric and previous building owner, is providing extremely affordable electrical work which is extensive with 8 freezers, 3 refrigerators and 2 coolers.
• Roger Nistler has provided much needed expertise in removing carpet and glue along with loaning helpful equipment.  Nistler Flooring has also agreed to provide new commercial grade flooring at well below retail cost.
• Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating and Dumpsters, Tyler Crowe provided two dumpsters to remove all the carpet and debris, and waived all costs.
• Volunteers and with the Sheriff /Sentence to Serve, the carpet and glue has been removed (a horrible and difficult task), and the building is ready for new floor tile.

Every one of these business owners wanted to “pay it forward” in helping the food shelf help our neighbors in need.  They need to be thanked and supported.

Securing additional volunteers is very important to them now, as they have been leaning on a few people that came forward to help.  Their most heartfelt appreciation goes out to Doug Aird, Neal Bacon, Bill Carsten, Duane and Sherren Foss, Dan Goodwin, Harvey Hallett, Mark Joosten, Bev and Joe Jorland,  Greg Mehlhop, Fred Otto, Mike Pence, Sue Rezack, Rick Schmidke, Steve Swor, Carsten Watts, and the Sheriff for adding WAFS on the schedule for the Sentence to Serve.

Your help is needed:  They do not want to continue to place such a workload on a few, and are asking for additional volunteers.  The work yet to be finished includes placing additional sheet rock, taping and mudding (next priority), painting interior walls, installing new flooring, and then the move itself which will not be until late fall.  They generally work every Thursday starting at 8:30.   If you are able to provide any assistance, please email walkerfoodshelf@gmail.com or call 218-547-1313 (Walker Chamber of Commerce).  They will add your name to their list, and call ahead when certain work is coming up.  Please consider being apart of this community project.

Walker Area Food Shelf New Property Owners

This past year it was necessary for the Walker Area Food Shelf (WAFS) to look to the future as their 10 year lease ends in November at their current location.  The Food Shelf and the Clothing Depot are bursting at the seams, and more room is needed to better serve families and community.

Financial advice was obtained regarding their continuation to rent versus own.  They made a long term decision, and on February 21, 2017 purchased their own building.  The new location is at 8243 Industrial Park Road next door to Bi-Cap and Access North, and is currently being remodeled.  This will create a convenient hub in Walker for human service organizations serving the area. This property will nearly double the space and parking for the Food Shelf and The Clothing Depot.

This purchase did not require the Food Shelf to use any operating funds, and was made possible by three significant donations.  The Food Shelf was a recipient of the Super One  “Dash for Cash” fundraising event a few years back, and they received two legacy grants from estate family wills.  This was truly a blessing, and with reduced fees and interest from First National Bank of Walker their net mortgage amount will be about the same as their current rent.  This property provides lease space and monthly tenant income.

The Food  Shelf Board felt it imperative their purchase be thoroughly and correctly explained as they need community help to complete the internal changes necessary to operate efficiently.  As they reached out to local contractors and vendors (Ric Cole Services, Ike’s Heating and Cooling, R W Electric, Nistler Flooring and Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating, they were over whelmed with their generosity and willingness to make this happen for the community.

Ric Cole has already started outstanding carpentry, working nearly pro-bono, and with all volunteer help.

• Justin Isaacson reviewed their need for an additional furnace along with other heating and cooling requirements, and saved them thousands of dollars in procuring and installing what they needed.
• Russ Wood, owner of R W Electric and previous building owner, is providing extremely affordable electrical work which is extensive with 8 freezers, 3 refrigerators and 2 coolers.
• Roger Nistler has provided much needed expertise in removing carpet and glue along with loaning helpful equipment.  Nistler Flooring has also agreed to provide new commercial grade flooring at well below retail cost.
• Tyler’s Backhoe Excavating and Dumpsters, Tyler Crowe provided two dumpsters to remove all the carpet and debris, and waived all costs.
• Volunteers and with the Sheriff /Sentence to Serve, the carpet and glue has been removed (a horrible and difficult task), and the building is ready for new floor tile.

Every one of these business owners wanted to “pay it forward” in helping the food shelf help our neighbors in need.  They need to be thanked and supported.

Securing additional volunteers is very important to them now, as they have been leaning on a few people that came forward to help.  Their most heartfelt appreciation goes out to Doug Aird, Neal Bacon, Bill Carsten, Duane and Sherren Foss, Dan Goodwin, Harvey Hallett, Mark Joosten, Bev and Joe Jorland,  Greg Mehlhop, Fred Otto, Mike Pence, Sue Rezack, Rick Schmidke, Steve Swor, Carsten Watts, and the Sheriff for adding WAFS on the schedule for the Sentence to Serve.

Your help is needed:  They do not want to continue to place such a workload on a few, and are asking for additional volunteers.  The work yet to be finished includes placing additional sheet rock, taping and mudding (next priority), painting interior walls, installing new flooring, and then the move itself which will not be until late fall.  They generally work every Thursday starting at 8:30.   If you are able to provide any assistance, please email walkerfoodshelf@gmail.com or call 218-547-1313 (Walker Chamber of Commerce).  They will add your name to their list, and call ahead when certain work is coming up.  Please consider being apart of this community project.