Princeton’s Food Bank is getting ready to move to the heart of the community.
The Princeton Baptist Church has taken ownership of the church building formerly used by the United and Anglican churches on First Street.
According to Pastor Kyle Nichols the acquisition will be used, in part, to house the Princeton Food Bank.
The building was purchased and gifted to the church from a supporter, said Nichols.
Presently the food bank is operated by the Baptist church out of its Old Hedley Road location.
“Our food bank has grown and it’s kind of outgrown that space,” said Nichols, stressing the Old Hedley Road building will remain the church’s primary residence.
The food bank’s future home is more ideal, he added.
“It’s a large hill to get up to the Baptist Church and that does sometimes stand in the way of people getting their food…We will have a more centralized location.”
The food bank will occupy the First Street church’s basement. The chapel area will remain a place of worship, perhaps suitable for smaller services or weddings.
“We are excited to keep the stained glass and the pews. It’s a beautiful chapel,” said Nichols, noting the building is 100 years old.
Eventually the second floor will have a purpose as well.
“The beauty of that building is it gives us some room to start dreaming. It could be used for after school programming for kids, all kinds of things.”
Renovations are underway and Nichols hopes to have the food bank move completed by this winter.
The food bank serves approximately 60 people a month, and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 to 11 a.m.
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