Group that helps others seeks assistance, too

Gahanna Residents in Need By MARLA K. KUHLMAN Tuesday March 3, 2015 9:33 PM

Gahanna Residents in Need is back to the drawing board in searching for a new location to serve the community.

Brenda Johnston, GRIN executive director, said there were too many issues with the Hamilton House, 87 S. Hamilton Road, for GRIN to lease it from the city.

GRIN, a faith-based organization that helps local residents with food, clothing and other assistance, has been searching for 12 months to find one location to house its food pantry, free clothing store and offices.

The latest prospect was the Hamilton House, Johnston said, but it was cost prohibitive due to needed pavement in the back yard for parking, mold remediation and furnace repairs.

The pantry and utility assistance offices are currently located at Mifflin Presbyterian Church, while the free clothing store is at Stonybrook United Methodist Church.

"We're asking the community to help us help the community by expanding services and integrating into one location," Johnston said.

The group needs a facility that's 2,500 to 5,000 square feet.

She said GRIN also would like the ability to have a refrigeration unit for fresh produce. The facility also would require a restroom.

"It doesn't matter about the divisions of the building," Johnston said. "We need it big enough to house the clothing free store, pantry and offices. We're willing to lease to buy. We're willing to rent what's available. We want to integrate all our services in one building."

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Group that helps others seeks assistance, too