The Grapevine: A $10,000 Addition to Facility Used by Community Result of Grant Writing and Teamwork
By Rosalyn Queen on February 24, 2022 from The Grapevine via Connect-Bridgeport.com
With the assistance of Audra O’Dell, Director Elinda Carson wrote a grant to EQT and received $10,000 to update the kitchen located in the Uptown Event Center.
“The Progressive Women's Association will use the funds to expand the food storage capacity of the facility's current food pantry to be able to provide greater access to food to larger numbers of people in the community,” said Carson. “The funds will also be used to expand the use of the commercial kitchen that is located at the facility. The expansion of the commercial kitchen will allow the Progressive Women's
Association the ability to preserve perishable foods and thereby extend the shelf life of the food received which will reduce waste and cost and provide more food to the community.
Association the ability to preserve perishable foods and thereby extend the shelf life of the food received which will reduce waste and cost and provide more food to the community.
“The addition of value-added processing to the kitchen will offer a resource to the community for business incubation. Anyone will be able to utilize the kitchen to start or expand a value-added business and/or catering company, for example,” she continued. “The kitchen space can also be utilized for classes and/or personal food preservation.”
With the funding a flash freezer, a dehydrator, a commercial processor, a vegetable slicer, a chamber vacuum packaging machine, bottle filler, fruit and vegetable corer, a six-shelf convection oven, a cold table and kitchen cabinet storage space were purchased and installed.
After inspection Steve Hinerman of the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department said that the facility was a fully functional commercial kitchen. The PWA wishes to offer the facility to individuals who are in the process of opening up a food service business to the community. It will be the ideal place for that entrepreneur who wishes to start a business to serve the community.
Now that the Health Department inspection is complete the facility is ready to be used by the community. To find out about this fully functional commercial kitchen or to visit it or make plans to use it call Carson at 304-624-6881. Individuals using the kitchen should obtain health permits from the Health Department.
The PWA wishes to thank O’Dell for her assistance in obtaining this grant and her continued support in obtaining the proper equipment and its installation.
Although the facility is being promoted as a commercial kitchen, it will still be used by the community for family gatherings and fundraisers. The PWA encourages the community to use the Uptown Event Center for its next event. This building belongs to the community and is maintained for their use. Call to arrange for your spring family reunions, graduation party, shower, or wedding.
Stay safe, stay healthy and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Editor's Note: Pictured, from left, Betty Waddy, PWA President; Elinda Carson, PWA Director; and Steve Hinerman, Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department Environmental Supervisor and Assistant Administrator.
