KEARNEY — Ask Daniel Buller to define the meaning of “making due,” and he’ll point to the space where Kearney’s Crossroads Mission Avenue has prepared more than 51,000 meals during the past nine months.
Multiply that number of meals times the 12 years Crossroads has been “making due,” and the shelter has churned out almost 750,000 meals equipped with only a standard residential kitchen like most families have in their houses.
Buller said Crossroads held off on the bigger, better kitchen and dining hall because other projects had priority. However, like so many things it does, Crossroads decided the kitchen could wait no longer. They went ahead with the project and placed fundraising in the Lord’s hands.
Buller said Crossroads has been “making due” because installing a commercial-grade kitchen is a big ticket.
The cost is about $450,000, and that total includes bigger and better food preparation equipment, as well as the added costs of satisfying fire and safety regulations.
Buller said Crossroads held off on the bigger, better kitchen and dining hall because other projects had priority. However, like so many things it does, Crossroads decided the kitchen could wait no longer. They went ahead with the project and placed fundraising in the Lord’s hands.
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Buller
“So far we’ve raised $300,000,” Buller said.
That’s about 60% of their goal, so he’s beginning to feel confident the money will be there when needed.
As Buller strolls through the gutted hall where Crossroads residents — or “guests” — have cooked and gathered for meals since 2012, he talks about the importance of food to the Crossroads mission.
The donated food will spell the homeless shelter until remodeling and upgrades are complete in about four to six weeks. At 1,000 square feet, it’s estimated the dining hall will accommodate about 60 guests.
Food is one of life’s essentials. Preparing it and eating it draws people and families together. Friends and neighbors know that in hard times, sharing food is an expression of kindness and empathy.
These days, with the dining hall and kitchen gutted, members of Kearney’s faith community have been bringing meals to help Crossroads until the new kitchen and dining hall open.
“A lot of people are bringing casseroles,” Buller said. “The churches have really responded.”
The donated food will spell the homeless shelter until remodeling and upgrades are complete in about four to six weeks. At 1,000 square feet, it’s estimated the dining hall will accommodate about 60 guests.
Cash-Wa Distributing designed the kitchen, and Chief Construction is the general contractor. The floor plan has a food prep area, a large pantry and a pair of offices.
Ask Daniel Buller to define the meaning of “making due,” and he’ll point to the space where Kearney’s Crossroads Rescue Mission has prepared more than 51,000 meals during the past nine months.
In a few short weeks the work will be finished and Crossroads’ guests will settle back into a schedule of three meals per day.
The cost is about $450,000, and that total includes bigger and better food preparation equipment, as well as the added costs of satisfying fire and safety regulations.
People sheltered at Crossroads perform what Buller describes as two hours of public service each day. Service time can include staffing the thrift store, caring for the grounds, janitorial chores and kitchen duty.
With nine families and 11 children currently housed at Crossroads, feeding all those hungry mouths will keep people occupied.
“We believe in keeping people busy,” Buller said.
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