A new home for The Village Project

The Village Project is excited to announce the upcoming renovation of and move to its new home at 27378 West Oviatt Road in Bay Village. 

Over the past two and a half years, The Village Project, formerly known as The Village Food Project, has worked in harmony with individuals, businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches and the city to serve over 6,000 nutritious meals and provide extended care to over 55 families experiencing cancer in the cities of Bay Village and Avon Lake. 

The unique, grassroots, community organization continues to grow. Neighboring communities are seeking help from the VP and its 400-plus volunteers of all ages. High school students, preparing and packaging meals under the supervision of adult cooks, and hundreds of additional volunteers who serve through gardening, shopping, delivery, house cleaning, yard pick-up, communications and more are anxious to meet the need; however, the original facilities did not allow for further expansion. 

“For the past two and a half years, Bay Presbyterian Church, its staff, and congregation have supported the development and launch of the Village Project and graciously provided exclusive use of their west wing kitchen. Without the Church’s support, this phenomenal organization would not exist,” stated Barb Harrell, Village Project Executive Director. “Use of the BPC kitchen has been an incredible blessing. However, after two and a half years of utilizing the kitchen, the time is right to make a move  Not only have we outgrown the kitchen, it is also located in the middle of Bay Presbyterian’s youth area, limiting the ministry’s opportunity to host meals and events. Bay Presbyterian’s leadership has been incredibly selfless and sacrificial. The VP will be forever grateful.”

The West Oviatt facility will allow for the preparation of a greater number of meals and expansion to neighboring communities. It also will offer increased administrative and storage space along with state-of-the-art culinary equipment.  In addition, there will be space for volunteer meetings, training and operations along with the ability to host client meetings, offering support and extended services. Lastly, the building will provide the opportunity to partner with various areas within the community.

Harrell and the VP board of directors felt strongly that the organization should stay in Bay Village. “Ideally, we would have preferred a space with an existing kitchen; however, there were no places available in Bay.” Thanks to the help of the facility owners Larry and Cheryl Wynocker, architect John Faile, builder Pete Grealis, kitchen designer/chef Richard Cicic, the Bay Village Building Dept., city officials and many other contractors, advisors and supporters, the facility will be renovated to meet all Village Project needs. 

An open house celebration will be planned for late summer/early fall. 

The non-profit Village Project operates 100 percent on donations. To support the VP with a tax-deductible gift, donate on the webite: www.ourvillageproject.com or mail to: Village Project, P.O. Box 40023, Bay Village, OH 44140. Our website also lists other opportunities to support the VP.

For further information, email:  info@ourvillageproject.com or call (440) 348-9401.

Diane Frye

I am a Bay Village resident and a volunteer for The Food Project. 

Read More on Community Service
Volume 5, Issue 15, Posted 9:54 AM, 07.23.2013