By Anna Skinner
Open Doors of Washington Township – a food and clothing pantry in Westfield – launched its capital campaign Oct. 10 with hopes of raising $310,000 for the construction of the new, 5,000-square-foot facility. The new location is planned on a plot of land adjacent to Monon Trail Elementary School.
Since the group introduced the campaign at the Chamber of Commerce meeting late last year, it has raised 75 percent of the money through donations from companies and individuals.
“We are thrilled with the success of where we are so far. We are just thrilled that the community has been so supportive,” said Jerry Rosenberger, treasurer. “It’s just a blessing we appreciate.”
To continue the quest to raise the funds, Open Doors will continue to communicate with the pastors of the 14 churches that support the food and clothing pantry to continue presentations in front of the congregation.
The next item on the group’s timeline is selecting one of the three potential structural building companies for the construction of the new building. Rosenberger said he is searching for partners to assist Open Doors with the indoor construction of the building.
“With the inside we will need some framing people and electricians and plumbers … I want to talk to some of the local contractors in the Westfield area for helping us out to provide some free or reduced labor for those things,” he said.
For those wishing to help, contact Rosenberger at [email protected].
The current Open Doors facility, located in the old fire station off of Jersey Street, is only 2,800 square feet. Rosenberger said with food drives, the current location doesn’t have enough space, and the food is spread through Westfield at different churches and warehouse space.
“We just have things spread around because we don’t have room so (the new building) should take care of all that so we can consolidate all of our space needs in one building,” he said. “It’s very inefficient now when we store food somewhere else than the pantry. This will resolve a lot of issues with the fight for space.”
The capital campaign will continue through March, and donations can be made through the new website, OpenDoorsWestfield.org, or sent via check to P.O. Box 196, Westfield, IN 46074.
“We’ve had great success with people even outside of Westfield, in Noblesville and Carmel, donating,” Rosenberger said.
Open Doors should break ground at the new location by the middle of the year, and the group expects to move in spring of 2017.
Over the Years
Food assistance (in pounds)
2012-55,381
2013-63,412
2014-87,675
Back to school students served
2012-179
2013-208
2014-230
Families served
2012-988
2013-887
2014-937
