Throughout the summer, volunteer crews from five different trade unions and three local businesses have worked to remodel the new Des Plaines Self Help Closet & Food Pantry.
After years of being headquartered in a one-story building at 600 E. Algonquin Rd., the nearly 50-year-old pantry has outgrown its space. To help the pantry expand, the city purchased the former Stadium Sports Club and Pizza at 769 Holiday Ln. as the non-profit organization’s new home.
However, the space needed work to convert it from an unused bar and restaurant to a facility offering food and clothes to those in need.
“It turned out very well,” said Des Plaines Ald. Colt Moylan (2d) of the recent renovations. “We’re almost ready for the pantry to move in.”
Moylan, a representative for IBEW electrical union 134, first came up with the idea to ask unions for help with the pantry renovation project in May, when he saw a $47,530 contract for roofing repairs on a City Council agenda.
“I thought it would be great for the different trade organizations to get involved and help during these unprecedented times and give back,” he told the Journal & Topics at the time.
Over the next four months, Moylan was able to get IBEW 134, Carpenters Union Local 58, Carpenters Union Local 1185, International Union of Bricklayers and Craftworkers Local 21 and Painters District Council 15 to help provide interior and exterior renovations at the site. Overall, he estimated the volunteers helped the city and pantry save several hundred thousand dollars on the project.
For example, the carpenters unions donated a combined $6,000 worth of materials for the project.
According to Moylan, the scope of work included: installation of fire alarms, installation of emergency lighting, installation of new lighting throughout the building, creation of two offices, creation of a lunch room, replacement of ceiling tiles, installation of new drywall, new carpet floor installation, tuckpointing of the entire building exterior and replacement of some exterior brick.
“Everything needed a lot of work,” said Moylan. “We really brightened the place up.”
Through Local 134, staff from JNS Electric Co. in Des Plaines, provided all the labor for electrical work and Gexpro of Schaumburg provided supplies, he said. Additionally, Bishop Plumbing of Des Plaines volunteered labor to install new Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant plumbing equipment and a water heater provided by the city.
Volunteers from the pantry helped out crews throughout the summer and the city was a “great partner” in the project, said Moylan.
As of Monday (Aug. 31), most of the union volunteers had completed their work and crews from Bishop were putting the finishing touches on their end of the project, he said.
“It was really a fun project for everyone involved,” Moylan told the Journal. He added that the tradespeople involved were happy to support the pantry, especially since they have been overwhelmed with new clients since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic early this year.
Apart from the renovations provided by volunteer crews and the roof work completed by Waukegan Roofing, Des Plaines also purchased new HVAC units for the building to make it move-in ready, said Moylan.
Going forward, aldermen are also expected to discuss bids for creation of a parking lot and sidewalk around the facility during the Sept. 8 City Council meeting.
If work is completed as planned, the pantry is expected to relocate to the Holiday Lane site by the end of September.
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