December 29, 2011:

Furniture is in! And so are some office staff members.

The transition to the new facility won’t be completed until mid-January. Only select operations are being conducted out of the new facility at 901 Portage St. A community-wide open house will be held in March 2012.

Pictured here is the call-center, where volunteers schedule clients to visit a grocery pantry site.

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December 7, 2011:

The carpet has been laid!

Here’s a view of the inside of the administration office. This is where the development, communications, finance and other staff members will work.

Also happening recently is the building of the shelter at the bus stop. Visitors can use public transportation to reach us, and not have to wait in poor weather.

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November 16, 2011:

Our sign is in! No more will visitors to our facility get lost or be unsure of where they’re headed.

The sign is our signature green color and also has the ability to one day contain a digital LED screen where we could scroll important messages every day.

Drive by and check it out!

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November 2, 2011: 

Asphalt in the parking lot was laid!There will be plenty of spaces for staff, volunteers, and clients – as well as a designated handicap parking area.

Other advancements include installation of the windows, putting up dry wall, and installation of the front doors.

Construction progress has stayed right on track.

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October 6, 2011:

It’s all coming together!

The walls are going up in the warehouse, the roof is now on and the warehouse and administration office are being connected, and the windows are going in!  

You can really see it coming to life.

What is exciting is walking around in the warehouse and seeing all the space that we will have for both short-term and long-term food storage. 

Amazing!

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September 22, 2011:

Here you can see the future administration office and the food donation unloading area.

There will be a covered canopy for donors to park underneath to protect them, and their food donations, from inclement weather conditions, as well as very visible signs to let people know where to go to drop off a donation.

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August 23, 2011:

 Our new facility is taking shape! This is a view of the future truck dock bays – where Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes staff and volunteers  will load and unload food.

 The administration office is also coming to fruition.

Check us out on Facebook to view more up-to-date pictures.

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August 1, 2011:

- The “forms” were placed in the ground today so that footings can be poured for the administration portion of the building. 

This part of construction should go fairly quickly. 

Finishing the foundation and putting in flooring will come next.

Drive by 901 Portage St. and check it out!

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July 25, 2011:

- Preliminary construction has begun at the new site at 901 Portage St. Stakes have been placed to outline the parameters of the building, including our never before dedicated in-house pantry. Preparations for pouring the foundation have begun.

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July 2011: 

 - Our groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 28. Many prominent community members, like Mayor Bobby Hopewell and representatives from several partner agencies, supporters, staff, board members, and volunteers came out to help us toss up that first shovel full of dirt. Executive Director, Anne Wend Lipsey, spoke about how the new facility will help Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes feed more hungry people than ever before.

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May 2011:

- Have you driven by the future location of Kalamzoo Loaves & Fishes’ new home at 901 Portage St. yet? Now it’s easier than ever to spot with our new banner! Stop by to check out the rough building plan and imagine what our space will look like in the coming months.

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 April 2011:

- Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes’ volunteers helped clean up a portion of the new building site off of Jackson and Portage Streets in celebration of Earth Day on April 23, 2011. It was a beautiful day and much was accomplished in a short period of time. Volunteers have been crucial in the planning and strategizing for our move to the new facility.