Feb. 20, 2020 2:35p
(WGTD)---A happy day Thursday at the Shalom Center, Kenosha’s primary shelter for homeless people.
"For the first time in the history of the Shalom Center, we are finally, finally under one roof," said Tamarra Coleman, the Shalom Center's executive director, to an applauding group of over 100 onlookers.
Coleman presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 10,000 sq. ft. food pantry and warehouse. The $1.2 million facility, paid for primarily by an anonymous donor, is attached to the back of the Shalom Center’s relatively new shelter and soup kitchen off of 39th Ave.
The Shalom Center’s old pantry, located off of south Sheridan Rd., is in the process of winding down operations. The building was sold to the city for $250,000, with the proceeds used to help finance construction of the new pantry.
The new facility opens for business March 2nd.
The shelter-portion of the original building opened a year-and-a-half ago. The mortgage on that $1.8 million structure was paid off several months ago.
Nearly 10,000 separate households took advantage of the Shalom Center’s food pantry last year. "This is a very critical thing for our community to be able to provide food for people who need it," said Shalom Center board chair John Collins. "We're very honored to fulfill that responsibility here in Kenosha," he said, adding that it wouldn't be possible without the help of volunteers, donors and community partners.
Donations are accepted at the new location during regular business hours.
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