ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – An award-winning Altamonte Springs food pantry is opening its doors for the first time since a fire caused extensive damage to the building.
The Apostolic Church of Jesus Food Pantry, located at 444 Ford Drive, was forced to shut down after a window air conditioning unit caught fire in August 2023.
Pantry leader Herbert Bouey recalled the feelings that swept over him after learning about the damage.
“It was very painful to come over and see the place that you work for and the place that you’ve been giving out food for so long burn,” Bouey said.
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During Thursday’s grand re-opening, people were able to tour the renovated building, which has a new roof, windows, floors and food storage equipment.
“We’ve got a larger pantry, it’s fantastic,” Bouey said. “It’s great we’re at where we’re at now with it.”
After the fire, Bouey helped organize consistent mobile distribution events at the site through a collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank.
“It’s the community and these incredible partnerships that we have that we’re able to get this food out to people in Central Florida,” Philanthropy Officer Maureen Martin said.
[Optimism is served at this Altamonte Springs food pantry following a devastating fire]
Bouey said the mobile distributions will continue and the new pantry will allow those who are food insecure to get what they need throughout the week.
“What it does now is it opens up more doors and opportunities for other people to come,” Bouey said.
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