Watertown Urban Mission gearing up for groundbreaking

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The Watertown Urban Mission's food pantry already serves hundreds of families, but may soon be able to help out more. That's because major renovations will kick off at the non-profit's building next week. Our Elizabeth Jeneault caught up with the mission to discuss their excitement for the organization's future.

WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- Although the Urban Mission has served locals for decades, their ability to help out others greatly improved in 2004. That was when they moved into their first building. But even then, they knew everything wasn't perfect.

"It was apparent on day one that this building had several issues. We have safety concerns, we have inefficiencies, both weather wise and also with work flow," explained Urban Mission's Executive Director Erika Flint.

As those issues became more apparent over the years, and the community's needs grew, the mission decided to launch its first capital campaign.

That, was two years ago.

"We were at a place with a new strategic plan, some new leadership and the timing was not only necessary, but it was the right time," said Flint.

And now, with the project's $2 million worth of funding in place, the non-profit is making preparations to break ground.

Those preparations include moving part of the thrift shop. It'll be relocated to the food pantry's current waiting area.

Both the food pantry and thrift shop will remain open in the building during construction, while some other services will move.

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Watertown Urban Mission gearing up for groundbreaking