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Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry renovation more than 75% complete, county updated
Summary
County staff and Saint Vincent de Paul briefed the council on a 2023 CDBG-funded expansion and renovation of the Easton food pantry and thrift store; construction is more than three-quarters complete and the group expects a soft reopening this summer and a grand reopening likely in early September.
Talbot County officials and Saint Vincent de Paul representatives told the County Council on July 1 that construction on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)‑funded expansion and renovation of the Saint Vincent de Paul facility in Easton is more than 75% complete and that a grand reopening is planned for early September.
County staff said the project, funded with $625,000 in CDBG funds, $100,000 in ARPA funds and more than $300,000 in private and other sources, added a 2,400‑square‑foot food pantry addition, new walk‑in refrigerator and freezer, reconfigured office spaces for private client meetings, and expanded donation and thrift‑store space. Project representatives said phasing was designed so services would not be interrupted during construction and that the expanded parking and circular pickup pattern are in place to support food‑distribution operations.
John Klassigen, described in the record as a volunteer and the building project manager for the conference, told the council the pantry had served just under 4,000 unduplicated individuals in the current fiscal year period and said the organization has improved its data collection to better track clients and seniors served. Saint Vincent de Paul said it expects to hold a soft reopening once phases permit continued operation and anticipates a public grand reopening in early September.
Council members thanked the volunteers, Willow Construction and donors. County staff noted that the project must track beneficiaries to comply with Maryland DHCD requirements for CDBG projects; the public hearing was an informational second hearing and no council vote was required that night.
