If all goes according to schedule, Oxford/Orion FISH will move its food pantry into its new building Nov. 12.
The 2,300 square building is at 487 First Street in Thomas which is located north of downtown Oxford.
Volunteers will be needed to move food and appliances from the basement of Immanuel United Church of Christ in downtown Oxford to the new pantry just miles away. Immanuel is located at the corner of Hovey and Dennison Streets.
Volunteers to help move appliances need to arrive at 9 a.m. Beside bringing their muscle power, volunteers should bring large empty coolers to temporarily hold cold and frozen foods.
Moving the canned and boxed goods will begin at 10 a.m.
Thomas United Methodist Church gave the building to Oxford/Orion FISH in September. Since then, the building has had new efficient furnaces installed, roof repairs done, a complete electrical updating and the maple floor refinished.
Currently, bids are being taken to update the bathroom and build a handicap access ramp.
‘We’d also love to have new windows to conserve on energy cost,? president Margaret Monprode said. ‘But I don’t think the budget will stretch that far this year.?
While the building is structurally sound, it had few if any updates since it was built in 1949 by Thomas area volunteers as a community center.
Oxford/Orion Fish last year received over 4,000 calls for assistance and filled 1,042 grocery orders for those in need.