Waynesboro City Council has cleared the path for The LIFEworks Project to purchase the North Winchester Avenue property that houses its River City Bread Basket food pantry.
City Council voted 4-0 in favor of a conditional use permit on June 23 that will allow the food pantry to continue operations at the location if they purchase the building from the current owner, Christ Tabernacle Church of God.
TLP co-founders A.J. and Adrienne Young were advised by the city to get the permit since the property is zoned for residential use. Previously, as renters of the building, the city allowed the client-choice food pantry to operate at the location by treating it as a subsidiary service of the church.
“The CUP gives us the opportunity to not only continue our work in the community, but to expand it, so that we can provide more comprehensive services to our neighbors,” said Adrienne Young, executive director of The LIFEworks Project. “It will serve as a permanent fixture that folks can depend on for years to come.”
With the zoning hurdle behind them, Young told AFP that they will now begin the arduous task of securing the funds needed to purchase the property and eventually, expanding its footprint.
“Soon we will launch a capital campaign aimed at securing the funds to grow our space and develop more programs that matter, allowing us to continue to make more room at the table to support those in need,” Young said.
The current building is 1,500 square feet. Ideally, they would like to double the size. The River City Bread Basket opened its doors on Oct. 7, 2023. The food pantry is open Thursdays from 4:30 – 7 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
City staff and the city’s Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning that is specific to The LIFEworks Project. If another food pantry wants to operate at the location in the future, the CUP is not transferable.
Waynesboro Mayor Kenny Lee abstained from the vote because he serves on the Board of Trustees for Christ Tabernacle.
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Crystal Graham
