Greenfield Area Christian Center breaks ground on new facility

With thanks for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon the community, volunteers with the Greenfield Area Christian Center broke ground Tuesday afternoon on a new facility that will allow the expansion of their food and support ministries that have served the Greenfield community for nearly 30 years.

The board members of the Greenfield Area Christian Center were joined by volunteers, family and community members at their 912 N. 5th Street in Greenfield, as they commemorated the organization's new beginning.

Board chairperson Lanny Bryant thanked the group for their support of the ministry and their expansion. 

"We're truly grateful to you for coming out today, as we start our new chapter," Bryant said. "Thank you to those who pray for us. We now have an opportunity to break ground on our new building." 

The Rev. Joe Cunningham led the group in prayer for the project, asking for "wisdom and resources to carry on and expand the ministry, until the Lord returns." 

The GACC was founded in 1985 and is a nonprofit organization 501-c3. Ministries of the Greenfield Area Christian Center include Clothing, Food, Tragic and Transient, Education and New Directions.

The building project is possible through a recent bequest from George Waddell in the amount of $250,000, a donation of land from the Nelson and Isabel Black estate, a gift of $20,000 from the Moon family, a gift of $37,598 from Robert and Eleanor Adams and an additional $20,000 from the Waddell estate. The GACC has also launched a capital campaign within the community to secure pledges and donations from churches, businesses, organizations and individuals to raise the $114,000 in construction costs which remain after using the aforementioned bequests.

According to Mike Collum & Sons Construction, work on the new facility is scheduled to begin in June, with a tentative phase I completion date of September, depending on weather. 

The initial construction phase will include a parking lot, building structure and exterior, concrete flooring, plumbing and electric.

Julie Eselgroth, who is a project leader in the food pantry ministry, said that more than 300 families are served each month. 

"We have food that comes in twice a month from the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati, and we also purchase food from local markets," Eselgroth said. "We have freezers and a cooler, and all our shelves that we fill. Right now it's kind of down to the bare bones, but it will be back up again by the end of the week." 

Families who qualify for the services have to be in the Greenfield Exempted Village Schools District. They provide information such as how many individuals are in their family, and once a month they can receive a box of food that will last them for approximately three to four days.

The GACC has partnered with several area churches that take up food collections during services and volunteer to hand out the boxes to the families at the center. 

Eselgroth volunteers at the center with her husband, Eldon, and volunteers Bernice Miscal, Becky Hood and Caleb Schluep. 

"Bernice has been here almost since the very beginning," Eselgroth said. 

There is an area where people can "shop" for clothing and household items, as well as personal care items. 

"We hope to be able to expand the services," said board member Katy Farber. "The building plans include a big community area."

The center will remain open through the construction, which is taking place next to the existing structure, and donations are always welcome. 

For those interested in making a donation or pledge, please contact Lanny Bryant at (937) 981-4752.