Food Pantry and Social Outreach Center Planned for Farmingdale

is awaiting approval from the to demolish an older church-owned building and replace it with a new food bank and community outreach center. The building, known as the Weber House, was built in the 1860s, and stands opposite of the church across Conklin St. on Elizabeth St.

“This building is in a deplorable condition,” said Rev. Msgr. Michael P. Flynn, St. Kilian’s pastor. “The new building will be an attractive one-story site that will improve the value of the neighborhood. But more importantly both the community and church will benefit by increasing our social ministry and outreach services. We’ll have more room for food and we’ll be able to help more families and seniors.”

The Village agrees that the facility is necessary. “With the economy still recovering from a deep recession and corporate donations down, the Village of Farmingdale wholeheartedly welcomes this construction plan at St. Kilian’s,” said Farmingdale . “Utilizing the food pantry and increasing the social needs in the village is tremendously important. St. Kilian’s provides many good works in the village and the need is great.”

Currently, the church’s food pantry and outreach services are in the basement of the rectory. It is not handicap-accessible, said Father Flynn, and the church’s services continue to grow. This past Christmas, the church helped 160 local families, a larger number than year’s past said Father Flynn, and in January 2011 the church’s social services helped 336 people with food, health care, housing, transportation, and legal aid.

“Our goal is to help the needy in Farmingdale,” said Father Flynn. “We don’t want anyone to become dependent on us or anyone else. We want to help them budget for their food and find affordable housing for them.”

Four years ago, the church began to formalize a plan for the building. Until then, the building had been a residence through the 1990s and the church had once planned to raze the building for a parking lot. A few church offices have been in the building. Once it was decided to build a new facility on the site, the church hired an architectural firm and went through the state and local review process, including the New York State Environment Quality Review Act. At the same time, the church accepted donations and saved money to pay for the entire rebuilding.

“We will not require a mortgage,” said Father Flynn. “The new building will be the same size as the current building. We are going to move the foundation forward to give some space to the house next door. Everything is set to go and on track; all we need is a new Village Hall meeting to approve the plans.”

Starkie said that the new meeting would take place in early March. “They have all of their permits and notice has been given to their neighbors,” he said. “This brand new structure will be in compliance with fire and building codes.”

Flynn emphasized that all of the work in building the new facility will be done by local contractors and builders. “When the thaw comes, we’ll be ready to start demolition and set the foundation,” he said.