St. Vincent de Paul Helping Hands of the Valley in Derby is expanding to meet the growing needs of local residents.
The brick building that houses the thrift shop and food pantry at 237 Roosevelt Drive is undergoing major renovations.
The construction project started in December. It is scheduled to be completed by early September.
“This expansion will help the community,” said Sandi Bailie, the nonprofit’s director. “We’ll get more food donated, and therefore we can service more clients. Also we’ll be able to take in more donations of clothing and other items (to sell in the thrift shop) and so there will be more proceeds to buy food to feed the needy.”
Bailies said when the expansion will result in a larger food pantry, attic storage space and floor space to sell items.
Shelton resident Ed Twarog, who is a member of the SVDP Board of Directors and serves on the building committee, said the project cost is approximately $300,000.
The general contractor is Albert Papa, owner, Maral Construction, LLC in Shelton.
The rear of the building will have two separate doors: one for food donations, and one for clothing, housewares, toys, and other items to be sold in the shop.
Twarog said last year the nonprofit purchased property behind the building off Park Avenue for $55,000.
The R.D. Scinto Corp. in Shelton donated 100 steel shelves for the food bank, he said, and the shelving is currently in storage.
The thrift shop is open from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will be closed for the month of August and will reopen Sept. 9, Bailie said.
Visit the nonprofit’s Facebook page for more information.
