Al Bol Visit to Examine the Building

Al Bol and his friend Bill from the Plainfield Planning Board visited the Freedom Ministry facility to make observations and suggestions.  They toured the interior and the exterior of the building.  Kelvin Thomas made the tour.

OBSERVATIONS

• Roof - there are constructs on the side of the roof that could be the cause of water accessing the interior of the building.  The rusting process of the steel girder inside the construct cause the cement to fracture and fall off.
• Heating Plant - this original installation is an electric heating system.  Due to the use of electricity this is very expensive and inefficient.  It is currently not functioning but is a major consideration.
• Pumping System - There is a large pumping system in the basement.  This system is critical to enable the plumbing to work.
• The Vault - this bank vault is quite large and would be extremely expensive to remove from the building.
• The Teller Drive Thru - three drive through banking windows are present.  They are supported by a tunnel to the main building.  Removal of these windows and the tunnel would be expensive and required by the town.

SUGGESTIONS

• Roof Estimate - a roofing contractor should be consulted for a bid to replace the roof of the building.  This will be needed in any scenario of purchase.  This estimate will be used to understand the total cost of purchase..
• Furnace Replacement with Gas Line - PS&G should be consulted for a bid to replace the furnace with a gas version.  No use of the building can be envisioned without a working furnace.
• Commercial Building Inspector - in any scenario to purchase the building an inspection should be acquired detailing improvements needed.

Volunteers here is your Orientation

FREEDOM MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP

ORIENTATION

12.9.14

1. TRAVEL

Travel to 1301 W. Front Street, Plainfield, NJ.  This location is the church facility for Freedom Ministry.  It is 12.1 miles from the church in Liberty Corner and should take 20 minutes to travel if you leave from the church.  Take I78 to exit 36 turn right and travel through Warren continuing to Rt.22.  Turn left and proceed east to Rock Avenue, turn right.  Follow to W. Front Street and turn left.  Church is on the right at 1301 W. Front Street.  Front Street is also Rt. 28 so you could travel from Bridgewater or Bound Brook along Rt. 28 eastbound to also arrive at the church.

2. DRESS

Appropriate dress is outdoor work clothes, like blue jeans and sweatshirt.  We want the clients to feel comfortable with our service and your clothing will form a first impression.  You will want to be comfortable as well and this work is not heavy but is could be a little messy.   The food bank is inside the main sanctuary of the church during the winter and in the parking lot during warmer months.

3. PARKING

There is a small parking lot on the side of the church and in back.  If possible you should park in this parking lot.  If the lot is full, please find street parking on W. Front Street near the church.

4. ARRIVAL TIME

The distribution of food commences at 7 am.  You should plan to arrive by 6:45 am.  You will learn that the volunteers and clients arrive before this time.  Some of the clients will arrive as early as 2:30 am to ensure they are on the top of list for a full basket of food, first come first serve.  There will be a short prayer to commence the distribution and then one at a time the clients will register, sign in with photo id, and proceed to the food.  You will likely be at the tables for distribution.  

5. SUPERVISION

The Hiltons will be leading the event.  Tommy and Atia Hilton are members of the church and supervise the operation to be in compliance with Federal Food Bank regulations.  They will assign you to your work station.  Several others will also be engaged in the process.  In total you will find 5-7 volunteers from Freedom Ministry in attendance.  When his work schedule permits Pastor Antoine Thomas and /or his brother Kelvin Thomas may be present.

6. WORK

The work is simply handing out the food and helping the clients receive their food and transport it to their cars.  The food you hand out originates in a storage container behind the church.  Most of this food is secured from Federal and State distribution centers.  Once per month the allotment of food is delivered to the church.  Food bank operations are conducted the 2-4th Saturdays of the month or until the food inventory is depleted.  You should expect to be at the food bank from 7 am to 9 am.  Though the food bank is open until 11 am, most of the early visitors will deplete the inventory leaving only select items for late arrivals.  

There will be about 150 people served typically. The majority of clients are repeat visitors and are well known by the volunteers. These clients and new ones learn about the foodbank via word of mouth. Client demographics appear to be 80% women average age of 50, 60% Hispanic.