PORT HURON — Mid-City Nutrition is one step closer to opening its new building with the installation of new kitchen equipment that will help keep up with increased demand at the soup kitchen.
The nonprofit received much-needed kitchen equipment and other facilities over a three-day period last week.
Sarah Jones, executive director of Mid-City Nutrition, said having the equipment there will help speed up construction on the building, so the epoxy flooring and remaining work inside can be completed.
“We're trying to create as nice a space as possible where people can come get their food and socialize,” Jones said.
Mid-City Nutrition currently operates out of the basement of St. Martin Lutheran Church at 805 Chestnut St. The new building will be at 830 Griswald St.
The arrival of the kitchen equipment was delayed for several months. Jones said Mid-City Nutrition initially waited for the delivery of donated equipment, but the delivery date changed multiple times. They decided they couldn't wait any longer for the donated equipment and asked the county for funding under the American Rescue Plan Act.
“This building needs to be open,” Jones said. “The community needs it. We don't want to have another winter like this. We need to be in the building.”
Mid-City Nutrition received $186,000 in ARPA funds to purchase commercial kitchen equipment, all from Detroit-based People's Restaurant Equipment Company.
Jones said Mid-City Nutrition has already invested about $1.5 million in the new building, all of which has been funded through donations and grants.
Jones said once indoor construction is complete, all that's left to do is get health and safety certification. No date has been set for a grand opening, but the nonprofit hopes to be open by September.
The new equipment includes two 20-gallon soup kettles, two commercial ovens and shelves for supplies and food — essentially, the nonprofit is operating out of more than double the equipment it used to use at St. Martin Lutheran Church.
Jones said the equipment will allow Mid-City Nutrition volunteers and staff to prepare meals more quickly and meet the needs of their clients.
“We absolutely need this equipment for the amount of food we make,” she said, “and it allows us to get more done without literally stepping on each other's toes.”
Seeing an increase in need in the community, Mid-City Nutrition has doubled the number of meals it provides. Now, Mid-City Nutrition boxes about 500 meals for lunch and dinner every day. The nonprofit provides two meals a day, Monday through Friday, lunch only on Saturdays, and dinner only on Sundays.
Joan said the new building will allow Mid City Nutrition to provide two meals a day any day of the week.
In addition, the new building will have two kitchens, one for day-to-day operations and one for cooking classes and rentals.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.
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