Good Cheer closes on Masonic Temple

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Good Cheer has closed the deal on its new digs.

Good Cheer officials signed contracts to finalize the purchase of the Bayview Masonic Temple on Dec. 5 and will turn the building into a new home for the food bank.

But before the big move, a lot of work is ahead for the volunteers and the Good Cheer Board of Directors.

First, funds must be raised for the remodel. The project will cost a total of $1.4 million, and the Good Cheer board has raised more than $30,000 to kick off the campaign.

The purchase price and modifications will run at about $650,000. Then the thrift store in Langley will be remodeled at a cost of roughly $285,000.

No date has been set for the construction to start, but early next year is likely.

“Fundraising for the remodel is next,” said Kathy McLaughlin, executive director of Good Cheer. “The starting date depends on how successful we are.”

Maury Hood, Good Cheer board member, has a more positive outlook.

“I hope we can start on Feb. 1,” he said. “The building permit is ready to be released by the county.”

While Good Cheer will make a little money off the sale of the Bayview lot it initially bought for a new home, the nonprofit will need to raise additional funds to pay for the purchase, renovation and operation of the new food bank site, as well as expansion of the Langley retail space.

At the Masonic Temple, the Good Cheer Food Bank will grow from its current size of 700 square feet at its Langley location to more than 2,000 feet, plus office space and storage.

Owners of the temple had offered the board the site for sale.

The building — which has just below 4,000 square feet of space — will give Good Cheer ample room for storage and food bank facilities. The Masonic Temple also has enough room for expansion and a community garden.

Expanding the retail space will increase sales, and that’s important because all proceeds from Good Cheer’s thrift stores go toward the food bank.

The food bank’s budget is largely built on Good Cheer’s retail operations; 43 percent of the budget comes from sales at the thrift stores in Clinton and Langley.

Meanwhile, Good Cheer’s Tuesday evening work parties have been a big success.

McLaughlin said they will continue into 2007.

“The Tuesday night work parties are making a great difference in our ability to move item donations from the sorting room on to the sales floor,” she said.

A lot of “unexpected income” was generated through the work parties as the help keeps store shelves stocked.

“Our sales for the year are up over $60,000 as of the end of November. We are having a tremendous year as our item receiving room is continually full. As fast as we get items sorted and marked and on to the sales floor, more items are being donated,” McLaughlin said.

“The secret to success is keeping on top of the process,” she said.

Good Cheer is hoping to attract even more volunteers to its night work parties.

“We’re hoping to keep this opportunity going strong into 2007 with the support of local businesses, churches and service clubs. We’re asking that they sponsor one Tuesday evening for the year and invite their employees and members to join us. Even one hour helps,” she said.

Volunteers receive an orientation to the Food Bank and Thrift Store and guidance in restocking shelves, sorting donations, tagging items and putting them out for sale.

Good Cheer stays open late for the volunteer work parties Tuesday evenings between 5 and 8 p.m. There will be no work party Dec. 26, but they will resume Jan. 2.