JF&CS closes on $1 million Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry building

 

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) on Feb. 9 closed on the $1 million purchase of a 21,000-square-foot building to house its Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Located at 10601 Baur Blvd. at Warson Road, the new location is less than a mile from the current site on Schuetz Road. The organization plans to move the pantry operation to the new building by mid-year and begin operations shortly thereafter, with little or no interruption to service.

The decision to relocate came in 2011 after an extensive, needs-determination process by a task force committee headed by Carol Staenberg. The decision to seek a new facility was approved by the JF&CS board.

JF&CS Board President Fred Steinbach said many people have worked on the funding process.

“Special recognition must go to the Jewish Federation as well as JF&CS Board and staff,” Steinbach said.

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry was established in 1991, when it served 40 families, and currently serves 5,000-6,000 people per month. The staff is backed by 168 regular and 1,200 episodic volunteers and is working to increase to 200 regular volunteers after the move.