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Base Construction & Management LLC is working toward a summer completion date for The Kitchen’s new campus at Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway.
SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton
Base Construction & Management LLC is working toward a summer completion date for The Kitchen’s new campus at Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway.

The Kitchen hits $4M fundraising goal

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The Kitchen Inc. met the $4 million construction goal for its new headquarters, though it has ongoing needs.

The Springfield homeless services nonprofit reached the benchmark through a $600,000 grant from J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc., according to a news release. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based foundation, formed in 1948 by John and Lottie Mabee, contributes to Christian religious organizations, charities, higher education institutions and hospitals.

The Kitchen broke ground on its new $4 million campus in June. Base Construction & Management LLC is serving as general contractor for the project designed by Ireland Architects Inc. The 12,800-square-foot campus at Glenstone Avenue and Chestnut Expressway is scheduled for completion in the summer, according to Springfield Business Journal reporting.

The nonprofit is relocating from its seven-building, 106,000-square-foot campus on Commercial Street. The Kitchen remains a tenant on C-Street, where Historic Commercial Developments LLC bought the property for undisclosed terms with plans for a mixed-use development for residential and commercial tenants.

Dubbed the O’Reilly Family Campus, the L-shaped property wraps around Panda Express and Auto By Rent and will include administration offices and a new 14-apartment temporary-housing shelter.

The Kitchen’s release noted that since funds have been diverted to its campus plans, donations for its general fund have decreased. The nonprofit has lost roughly $30,000 per month this year, which led to the elimination of staff positions, according to the release.

The Kitchen Community Development Manager Roz Palmer said three positions were eliminated over the last six months through attrition. Another three positions have been cut, with two having a Jan. 6 end date.

“The decision to eliminate or not fill the positions came after close evaluation and it was determined they could be streamlined with other positions and allow the organization to still provide quality services to our clients,” she said via email, noting the nonprofit also needs to raise an additional $2.5 million to construct and furnish the Sam and June Hamra Support Services building at its new campus.

The Kitchen also is in transition mode with a new CEO announced late last month. Discovery Center of Springfield Inc. Executive Director Meleah Spencer is scheduled to start later this month as The Kitchen’s leader to succeed Rorie Orgeron, who suddenly exited in May for unspecified reasons.

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