Starke County Community Services is seeking donations to help repair and update its food pantry before the end of the year.
Food Pantry Manager Jimmie Howard announced Wednesday, November 4th, that the pantry is in need of several improvements after going many years without renovations.
According to Howard, heavy traffic has caused damage to the flooring, including missing tiles near the garage door and a hole in front of a freezer. Some areas beneath the cabinets also have exposed concrete.
The pantry’s walls are also showing signs of age, with damaged drywall near the delivery area.
Howard hopes to repair and paint the floors, patch and repaint the walls, install a protective barrier behind a receiving wall, and reorganize the pantry.
The estimated cost of the project is $1,100. Howard said volunteers are expected to provide the labor, but financial donations are needed to purchase materials and complete the improvements.
Donations toward the project are tax-deductible, according to Howard, who hopes to have the work completed before the end of 2026.
Howard also thanked Starke County correctional volunteers for recently refreshing the yellow paint in the agency’s parking lot.