Volunteers spruce up Business Barn for F.O.R. Maricopa (VIDEO)

Instead of sleeping in Saturday morning, volunteers woke up early to volunteer for a good cause.

Nearly 20 people met to spruce up one of Maricopa’s oldest buildings. The Maricopa Business Barn’s new owner is Wendy Webb, who also serves as director of F.O.R. Maricopa Food Bank.

“This building here has had up to nine businesses in it in the past, and so our goal is to get it up to speed and fill it up with as many people as we can because that would generate income that will help support the food bank long term,” Webb said.

The business barn purchase is one of many steps Webb has taken in recent months to fulfill her goal of constructing a new location for the food bank adjacent to the barn.

 

Earlier this year, the food bank moved from its original location on John Wayne Parkway at Garvey Avenue to a smaller location across the street.

Arizona Department of Transportation will demolish the original building, a former sheriff’s office substation, in coming months in preparation of the overpass.

According to Webb, the location might change again before the food bank can afford to construct a new building. Despite the changes, the food bank has stayed open throughout the transition.

In a previous interview, Webb said the food bank serves 100,000 meals per year to local families.

At one time it helped resident Britney Sias who was one of the first volunteers to help Saturday.

“I have had to use the food bank many times in the past, especially when the recession was bad,” Sias said. “I pretty much had to use the food bank every week so anyway I can pay back the community I definitely try to.”

People of all ages showed up to help. Gracee Clark, 13, and Angie Belruiz, 16, were there earning volunteer credit for school.

It was also a chance for Belruiz to become acquainted with her new community.

“I just moved to Maricopa so I would really like to get to know the city and to help out the city,” Belruiz said.

Not only is the Business Barn expected to help the food bank, but some hope it will stimulate opportunities for local business owners as well.

“It’s important for the city of Maricopa to have cost-effective space for small businesses to rent and this is the perfect place,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terri Crain.