Already efficient in helping hundreds of Schoharie County families annually, the Joshua Project made a move last year to become even more efficient.
The all-volunteer organization purchased a two-acre parcel in East Cobleskill and plans to erect a building for its programs that range from feeding the hungry to providing free furniture.
Joshua President Pat Costello explained the project during his annual report earlier this month.
“It puts us all in one place. The location couldn’t be better,” he said, adding that the location is ideal for being in the center of the county and close to all major roads.
Plans call for the building on Route 145 to have an office, conference room, community area, walk-in freezer and cooler and room to store furniture and supplies.
“We can’t wait to put up a sign and call it ours,” Mr. Costello said.
Joshua board members will meet with an engineer this week and later present an impact study and plans to the Town of Cobleskill Planning Board.
For years, the Joshua Project has depended on the generosity of churches and other sites for storage and to run programs.
Fusion Community Church in Cobleskill and Middleburgh Central School, for instance, host several Joshua programs.
Monthly Joshua Project meetings rotate between churches in Middleburgh, Schoharie and Cobleskill.
“We have five sites where we store furniture, we have supplies in several churches and run programs at different sites,” Mr. Costello said.
“Now we’ll bring it all together. People will know where we are.”
The all-in-one location will also make it easier for families to benefit. Currently, families needing furniture call the Joshua Project, and volunteers deliver what’s requested.
“People will be able to come and look and pick what they want, and they can take it with them or we can deliver it,” Mr. Costello said.
Once building plans are approved, Joshua volunteers will start fundraising, he added.