The Open Door Food Kitchen is getting some help to purchase a new location to expand access in St. Joseph.

According to a news release from the City of St. Joseph, as part of the City Council’s strategic plan, an objective was established to help support a local effort to find the most appropriate location for the Open Door Food Kitchen.

Partnering with the Open Door Food Kitchen, the Downtown Community Improvement District and anonymous donors, the city of St. Joseph will be entering into a real estate purchase agreement to secure property located at 8th and Messanie. A new facility will then be built at that location using a combination of donated funds and proceeds from the sale of the existing building to the city of St. Joseph.

The City said the new purchase will allow the food kitchen to move into a newly constructed facility with off-street parking and possible room for future growth.

The news release said construction of the new facility will occur this construction season. Services provided to the community through the Open Door Food Kitchen will not be interrupted as they change locations as the transition plan will allow for continuous service.

“This is an exciting opportunity to continue the mission we started in June 1984,” said Lee Ann Smiley, Open Door Food Kitchen board president. “That mission is ‘To build a better community by feeding all that come to the Open Door Food Kitchen, no questions asked.’ We thank our very dedicated volunteers and loyal supporters.”

As part of the City Council’s goal of downtown Revitalization the city said it will work to convey the property currently occupied by the Open Door Food Kitchen at 510 Edmond to a third-party purchaser with the intent to further enhance economic development along the main corridor into downtown.