After nearly a year of construction that included some weather-related drama and at least one significant pivot, the new East Bay Food Pantry at 532 Wood Street was unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 5. T

he pantry itself continued operations for the duration of the construction schedule; the thrift shop, the proceeds from which cover roughly a third of the food pantry’s operating expenses, was closed at the beginning of the project to temporarily relocate operations to 655 Metacom Avenue. The location quickly revealed itself to be far more profitable than its former home. Instead of simply getting through the disruption on Wood Street, thrift shop manager Jodi Miller and EBFP director Emily Mushen were soon negotiating a long-term lease — and deciding what to do with the extra space at headquarters.

It was a pivot made easily by the contractors, JPS Construction, led by project manager Jon Camelo. “It was a lot of space, and it needed a lot of love. But they (Mushen and staff) were flexible and we stayed flexible, and things changed many times based on from where we started.” Indeed, when Mushen saw what a nice job JPS did on some built-in cabinets, they asked them to fabricate much of the shelving in the display area, which, due to the late addition to the construction timeline, were not entirely stained and finished by Thursday’s opening.

“It worked out really well,” said Jed Sopchak, project manager for Cordtsen Design Architecture. “We gained a lot of really valuable space.” They were able to allocate the extra square footage across the facility, with more office, pantry, and storage space. According to Sopchak the new layout even provided room to create a private consultation space.

“The JPS team were troopers, and pulled a few overnight shifts. They had great ideas and were great collaborators. It all came together to create a beautiful space.”

“There's an African proverb that goes If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” said Howard Sutton, Publisher Emeritus of The Providence Journal and principal advisor for the 1829 Legacy Fund which issued a $250,000 challenge grant to catalyze the EastBay Food Pantry's $1.2 million capital campaign last September. “The East Bay community, child welfare island-based organizations, and especially my fellow Bristolians have come together to not only go fast but to go far helping our neighbors deal with food insecurity.”

In her remarks, Mushen gave heartfelt thanks to donors, the board, and the staff of the EBFP and the thrift shop. “I am honored to work among you and endlessly excited about the work we will continue to do together,” she said.

“None of the work that has allowed us to reimagine and renovate our space would have been possible without our incredible partners, the support of our gracious landlords, the East Bay CDC and the Franklin Court team…my gratitude as well to our incredible donors. Your generous contributions turned this possibility into a plan just over a year ago.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, guests toured the renovated front-of-house space with its new displays and undeniable farmers market energy that will make shopping a pleasure for the EBFP’s guests.

“Emily and the staff were awesome to work with,” said Sopchak. “It was special to be part of that process and work on this wonderful community-based project.”