Jamieson Community Center is expanding to Main Street in Monmouth.
The organization purchased the former Tom and Linda’s grocery store at 1120 S. Main St. The plan is to move the Community Marketplace there.
“In the new space we plan to have our thrift store and our food pantry, as well as a resource person that families can connect with if they would like to,” said Executive Director Nancy Mowen. “We will also have some area that is dedicated to resources from other agencies that are available to people who live here.”
Currently the Community Marketplace is located at Jamieson Community Center’s main location at 1025 S. Second St.
The new space will have more room for the food pantry and thrift store.
“We want to make sure that literally any person can walk in the door and get the things that they need,” Mowen said.
Jamieson Community Center serves Warren, Henderson, and Mercer counties with meal programs, educational opportunities, and access to essential items at an affordable price.
“I think all of our programs that we have are important for the community. Last year we served more than 5,000 people through all of our programs combined,” said Mowen.
The new space will also create a new position for a dedicated resource person who will assist local families and connect them to the right community resources.
“What I’m envisioning is someone with a social work background, so they understand how people can advance, like what resources can help them move forward,” said Mowen.
Renovations at the new space are ongoing. The interior of the building has been gutted, the roof has been replaced, and new windows and doors have been installed. There’s also a new sidewalk in front of the building.
The Pattee Foundation helped Jamieson Community Center buy the building to help ensure that food security, basic needs, and academic and learning goals are met.
It was purchased in April for $490,00.
“Everything that we do, every single thing that we do in this community is because we have so many philanthropic people, so many caring people, and we work very closely with many other organizations,” said Mowen. “It’s all a collaborative effort and we’re grateful that we’re here to help people.”
There is no projected opening date for the new building.
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