It's a go for Emily food program

EMILY - Emily Wesleyan Church finally got what the news members have been waiting six months to hear - they can start the renovations on their church kitchen.

The church's community food program, Care N' Share, was discontinued in May after the State Health Department forced them to shut their doors and upgrade their kitchen to meet commercial standards.

The initial tab for the remodel was upward of $170,000. However, new estimates have come in much lower, allowing the church to move forward with the project with the funding already acquired. The church has raised $142,000 to date.

In addition to the planned renovation made to the existing kitchen, the remodel will include a 24-by-24-foot addition to house on-site storage space.

Gordy Huff, volunteer Care N' Share director, said the church is grateful to the community for getting behind them during the last several months.

"We couldn't have done it without community support," Huff said. "We want to let people know that their response is what helped us to move forward."

Huff estimated with construction starting next week, the project should be completed by early spring.