Cathedral Kitchen Set to Break Ground on New Facility in Camden.

After Three Decades of Operating in Loaned Space, Cathedral Kitchen Will Break Ground on a New Home

CAMDEN, N.J. -- Cathedral Kitchen (CK), an independent, non-denominational nonprofit feeding the poor of Camden in loaned space since 1976, today announced the groundbreaking for a new facility to be held on September 14, 2007, at 8:30 a.m. The program will begin with a breakfast, followed by remarks from invited dignitaries and guests at the current facility, located at Broadway and Federal Streets in Camden, and then proceed to the new site at 1514 Federal Street for the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Attending the event will be members of the CK Board of Directors, including President Thomas Bergbauer, Jr., Capital Campaign Co-chairs Rory C. Maradonna and Gualberto Medina and CK's Executive Director Karen Talarico. Other guests include Bishop Joseph Gallante, Bishop of the Diocese of Camden, Steve Pouppirt of Clemens Construction Company, David Schultz of DAS Architects, and . Invited officials include Congressman Robert Andrews, Camden's Chief Operating Officer, Judge Theodore Z. Davis, Freeholders Louis Cappelli, Jr., Joseph Ripa, Jeffrey L. Nash, and Edward McDonnell, and Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison.

Project funders will also be on hand, including representatives from New Jersey's Economic Development Authority/Economic Recovery Board, Campbell's Soup Foundation, Diocese of Camden, Danellie Foundation, The Bunbury Company, PNC Bank, PSE&G, the Holman Foundation and the William G. Rohrer Foundation, as well as private donors.

After raising three-quarters of the $3.9 million needed to build the new facility as part of a three-year long capital campaign, plans are moving forward for the construction of the building, with the grand opening set for the spring of 2008. The new facility will enable the organization to expand its services to include seven-day meal service, medical care, job/life skills training, and other services to help clients become more self-sufficient. "The capital campaign has been a key priority and commitment of the Board since we determined a new site was essential to the long-term goals of Cathedral Kitchen back in 2001," said Board President and Barrington, NJ resident Tom Bergbauer. He added "We are grateful to so many community and government supporters who have helped to make this dream a reality and to ensure that we can continue to serve those in need."

A unique aspect of the project is that the facility has been designed as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or "green building", an environmentally responsible facility--one of the first in Camden. "The goal is to make this building a pleasant and welcoming place for guests and workers that fits the "green" standards. We have taken a whole-building approach by using green design principles that include accessibility to public transportation, incorporating natural light, using recycled materials, providing a clean air environment and installing systems that will reduce energy use and contribute to sustainability," said architect David Schultz of DAS Architects.

The organization's mission is to provide meals and other services to those in need in the city of Camden. Currently serving an average of 340 meals a night, the Cathedral Kitchen operates five days a week and offers a nutritionally-balanced hot meal to all those who come to the door.

For more information about the Cathedral Kitchen or to find out how to help, contact executive director, Karen Talarico at [phone] or [e-mail], or visit the website at www.cathedralkitchen.org.