BLACKFOOT — An overflowing crowd gathered at the Blackfoot Community Pantry and Outreach headquarters at 250 West Judicial to learn about the plans for a Community Outreach Center at that location.

The expansion will quadruple the space available for non-profit organizations to serve those in need. Their goal is to create a center that will provide help, hope, support, education and opportunities.

The former auto parts warehouse complex owned by Bill and Linda Sponenburgh, first gave space to the Community Pantry for establishing their weekly food box distribution service to assist those struggling to feed themselves and their families. On the south end of the warehouse, the Pantry built a building within the shell of the warehouse for distributing boxes to the public. They also utilize a portion of the warehouse for storage of bulk food donations. All together they use about 6,000 square feet of the roughly 24,000 square foot warehouse.

Recently the Sponenburghs made the whole warehouse available for $1 million with terms that have eased the challenge of expanding. The CDT approached Jacque Burt, the founder of The Village – A Foster Care Closet in Blackfoot. Burt and her team of dedicated volunteers provide emotional and physical support for children who are having “the worst day of their lives,” how

Burt characterized the difficulty of leaving their homes and entering into foster care.

The children are welcomed, and volunteers help them pick out clothes, grooming needs, toys, books a quilt and a stuffed friend – all packed into a new backpack and suitcase. Gone are the bare feet, black garbage bags and fears. The Village is a place where hope begins as the children learn that someone cares and that they could have a better future.

The Village serves over 400 children in 16 Southeast Idaho counties. And they have been doing it all in 1,700 square feet at their current location at 35 E. Pacific St. in Blackfoot. The CDT offered the north part of warehouse to the Village – 12,000 square feet of much needed space.

These plans leave about 6,000 square feet of the middle section of the warehouse for yet to be determined community outreach programs. An Outreach Committee has been formed to explore the options to best utilize the space. Currently they are saying that “nothing is off the table” as far as what services they are considering housing. Their only definite plan at present is to house a center for education. If you have ideas for this space or have needs as a non-profit organization, contact the committee chair Chris Capson at 208-680-8534.

Many of these plans are going to happen in phases. For instance, The Village is looking for design work to finalize their blueprints before they start demolition and rebuilding their portion. Restore Rite employees will be volunteering their time to make the remodeling from ground up a reality. They estimate it will take several months before they can move into the expanded location.

CDT co-founder Lee Hammett asked everyone gathered to “be advocates” for the center and spread the word of the services they offer and the need for volunteers and donations.

Specifically, he said the next step will be to pay-off the building – they have a goal of raising $1 million in 6 months to do so. Once that is achieved and their base firmly established, they can move on to developing the center Outreach portion.

Already supporters are stepping up to make that goal a reality. For example, recently they received a $50,000 cashier check. With all of these donations, Hammett said a heartfelt, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And - don’t stop now.”

Donations can be made at either the CDT webpage at https://communitydinnertable.org/ or by contacting Hammett at 208-760-7446, or at the Village by calling 208-569-6298.