Why is EH moving AGAIN?? There were questions about the move during Distribution and the same question has been asked by others since posting about the move. The reason EH is moving...AGAIN: On October 28th, EH will have been in the 2103 Broadway building for exactly one year. When we moved to Broadway last October, everyone was SO EXCITED!! Before that, EH relied on the generosity of local business owners to donate a space for the Pantry. We greatly appreciated their support & help in giving EH a place to hold Distributions and store food. Unfortunately, when business plans changed at each location, EH had to make way for other plans and had to move. That happened several times. Sometimes with very short notice. In between these locations, EH held Distributions in parking lots. It was not conducive to EHs Clients knowing where we were or having a good experience when they came for pet food. Last year, it was decided that EH needed a real home-base. A location where we had a lease AND we could create a good space: for our Clients, for meetings, for EH Volunteers, and for small fundraising events. The Broadway Pantry has been a GREAT place!! It has been rewarding to create a real home for Ernies Heart, our Clients, our Volunteers and for welcoming the Community. The Broadway building seemed big last October....but, over the last few months--it has become apparent that it really is NOT big enough for what we need (and want) to do. Last year, we looked at the Riverwalk Arts building on East 8th Street--but at that time--could not afford the rent. A couple weeks ago, out of the blue---the owner called to see if EH was still interested in the building. She stated that over the last year, she had read about the Pantry and wanted to extend an offer of renting it at a substantial discount!! It was an answer to prayers!! We met with Twila Garber Beahm to see the building and it was FANTASTIC!! It was everything we had hoped for and dreamed of!! It is SUBSTANTIALLY BIGGER--3 TIMES THE SQUARE FOOTAGE of the Broadway building and only slightly higher in rent. What a MIRACLE!! It is a building that served as Twilas Art Studio for many years. Now, it will serve as the NEW HOME for Ernies Heart Pet Food Pantry! There is PLENTY OF ROOM for the pet food area AND a multi-purpose space; which is big enough for an office area, meetings, a seating area & a spot to sell EH merchandise. There is a Volunteer Break Room/Storage Room with what seems like a HUGE amount of storage PLUS room for a table & chairs! This space also includes a kitchen area WITH A SINK--AND room for a small refrigerator! There is even a separate closet to store the vacuum and cleaning tools!! What a luxury that is!! The bathroom is larger and has beautiful tile work by Twila!! There are 2 very convenient & large utility sinks in what will be the food area---for easy clean up after bagging!! There is a MUCH BIGGER PARKING LOT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR EH---NO sharing!! There is a green space (near a river-side walking path) that can be used for events and fundraisers during good weather! It is on East 8th Street, which is an extremely busy & very main thoroughfare! It is a genuine miracle that Twila called at just the right moment with her generous offer!! We are all very excited to be making this move to the Riverwalk Arts building on East 8th Street! It is just what the Pantry needs!! The last time we met Twila at the new place, she said: I hope you will stay for more than one year. What a great thing for her to say after only a couple meetings. Everyone at EH is optimistic that we have a found a NEW HOME that will meet EHs needs now AND IN THE FUTURE!! It will be exciting to begin transforming the new place into Ernies Hearts NEW HOME between NOW and the next Distribution on November 15th. PLEASE NOTE: (*The rent for EHs HOME and ALL EH expenses are paid for by Jan Smith, EHs Founder & Executive Director. 100% of donations go to purchase food for hungry Madison County furbabies.)
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:16:08 +0000
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