Marshall County Neighborhood Center Executive Director Christine Garner asked the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning for funding support for a project from the available American Rescue Plan Act funds.
She explained that the organization is looking for an outdoor freezer and cooler to help store items that are donated to the food pantry there.
She noted that the not-for-profit has attempted to purchase additional property to accommodate more space to house items for use by clients, but the funds are difficult to collect to make that happen.
Bulk donations are often offered to the Neighborhood Center and are turned away due to lack of space for storage. Garner said they want to put more food in the hands of their clients and this project will help.
She said the plan is to build an enclosed outdoor space for the freezer and cooler. The freezer and cooler will cost about $35,000 to $40,000 and the materials to build the space will be paid for with building funds and grants. She said the total cost of the project is about $120,000.
She requested funds from the American Rescue Plan Act funds toward the project which was unanimously approved by the commissioners.
Garner added that 70 percent of the clients are from the Plymouth zip code, with 40 percent of the clients under the age of 18. The Neighborhood Center has seen an increase of Bremen and Culver families. The number of baskets has doubled since last year.
