Project Hope Buys Building, Begins Renovation Efforts
Thrift Store Remains Open as Work Goes On
By Karen Gould

Billy Green adds insulation to new frames on the interior walls of the St. Ignace Area Hope building on Ferry Lane. The renovations are being done by Tom Huskey Construction and Design of St. Ignace. The crew will put in 12 inches of insulation, drywall, a suspended ceiling, and new lighting, Mr. Huskey said. Four new forced air furnaces will also be added. The work, he said, will be completed by February 1.

Last month, St. Ignace Area Hope purchased the Ferry Lane building that houses the Hope Chest Resale Shop and St. Ignace Food Pantry. Now, the nonprofit charity, a collaborative effort by area churches, has begun a fundraising campaign to renovate the early-1970s building.

St. Ignace Area Hope serves people in the area who have unexpected needs, from making utility payments to paying for prescriptions. The organization operates the resale store, food pantry, and a 24- hour hotline that connects people with appropriate services and professionals. The thrift store sells used toys, household goods, and clothing donated by the community. Sales from the store and financial donations help to fund the nonprofit organization.

Tim Huskey (left) and Lee Sauvageau are replacing a garage door at the St. Ignace Area Hope building. The door, facing Ferry Lane, will be changed to an entrance door and two windows. The work is part of the renovation project at the building.

Owning the building makes St. Ignace Area Hope more independent, said Deacon Don Olmstead of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. The building's previous owner was Musser Realty, a property management company operated by the R. D. Musser family, owners of Grand Hotel. The company donated a portion of the purchase price of the property to the organization. The reduced sale price, say Hope board members, makes it possible for mortgage payments to approximate rent payments the organization has paid since moving into the structure in August 2006.

Now that Hope has taken ownership of the building, it has begun a fundraising campaign seeking support from residents, businesses, and local organizations. Money raised will be used to cover the costs of renovation work. The projects planned, said Mr. Olmstead, will give the organization more control of fixed expenses, such as utilities.

With heating costs surpassing $8,000 last year, the group plans to add insulation, install new lighting, and rework the heating system. The goal of the renovations, said Pastor Jim Balfour of the United Methodist Church, is to make the building more energy efficient and more usable. Construction of a drop ceiling is planned for the garage area, he said, which would make the space more practical for the resale store.

The renovation work, agreed Mr. Olmstead, will enhance the building for shopping and provide better heating for volunteers and customers. Volunteers, he said, often wear coats and gloves to keep warm while working. With so little insulation in the walls and ceiling, heating the structure is difficult.

"The work will make a more comfortable building to work in and to shop in," he said. "The ripple effect of the improvements to the building is going to go back to the people who shop and volunteer there."

In 2007, said Rev. Balfour, Hope assisted more than 175 individuals and families, and approximately $23,000 was given to those in need.

Those with urgent needs can call the Hope Chest emergency hotline, 643-6780, to receive assistance in finding shelter, transportation, help with utilities or medical expenses, and food through the pantry.

"Our purpose is not to be part of somebody's budget," said Pastor Balfour, "but to help them over financial bumps."

In the future, Hope, which has more than 50 volunteers, plans to create a common resource center at the Ferry Lane property where people will be able find a variety of services offered by nonprofit groups.

Remodeling work has begun, temporarily limiting space for the resale store items, said Rev. Balfour, so the group is asking people to hold their resale shop donations until February, although the building is still open for customers. Donations still are needed at the food pantry and can be brought to the Ferry Lane building.

Monetary donations, including those for the renovation project, are tax deductible and can be sent to St. Ignace Area Hope, P.O. Box 170, St. Ignace.

The Hope Chest is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Food Pantry is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.