POTTSTOWN — A fire earlier this month has closed the building where the Cluster of Religious Communities food pantry was held, but the service is still continuing in the building next door.
It was about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2, when firefighters responded to a smoky fire at the cluster building at 57 N. Franklin St. It turned out that the air conditioning unit on the roof had caught fire, said Makenzie Clanagan, communications director for the Cluster.
However, the nonprofit continued with its mission feeding families in the area despite the setback, Clanagan said.
In the first few days after the fire, the Share Food Program provided foodstuffs for the Cluster to distribute so those who depend upon the service would not have to do without.
Cluster operations are now being conducted from the building next door to the food pantry, located at 61 N. Franklin St. (MediaNews Group file Photo)
Most of the operation is now being run out of the building next door, 61 N. Franklin St., which the Cluster also owns.
“We are determined to keep providing food and essential resources to the families and individuals who need us,” Clanagan wrote in an email to MediaNews Group.
Food pantry services will continue to be provided at the usual times, but at the 61 N. Franklin St. location:
• Tuesday 9:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
• Wednesday 2:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
• Thursday 9:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
However, long-range plans continue to be up in the air.
“As things stand right now, we’re still waiting on word from the insurance company about whether we can renovate or whether we’ll need to look for a new building,” Clanagan said.
State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist. and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist., at center, both recently visited the Pottstown Cluster of Religious “Communities to learn more about the roof fire which has impeded services. (Image via Pottstown Cluster)
According to a posting on the Cluster website, “you can support the Cluster by:
• Donating food or essential supplies
• Making a financial contribution (https://www.pottstowncluster.org/donate/)
• Providing resources, services, or temporary space
• Sharing our story with your community
• Purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor for our annual Full Hearts, Full Plates event.
Clanagan said that the Full Hearts, Full Plates event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brookside Country Club and will include a silent auction, raffles, speakers and a cash bar. Tickets purchased before Oct. 1 are $100, and those after Oct. 1 are $115.
Sponsors for the event are also welcome.
