BIG SPRING, TX — Big Spring food pantry Isaiah 58 is facing potential closure before the end of the summer.
The local non profit received a notice to vacate their current location at 809 Scurry in Big Spring on May 23, 2023 by St. Paul Lutheran Church, the organization that owns the property. The notice stated, “The financial drain to St. Paul in providing this building to you has necessitated this difficult decision, which was reached and voted on by the congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church.” It also stated that the church would take over the property on July 1st, 2023.
According to Terry Hansen, President for St. Paul Lutheran Church, the decision to evict the food pantry is strictly a financial one. He stated that although the church does not pay taxes on their properties, they do have to pay for insurance on the buildings. The cost of insurance for the Isaiah 58 property is approximately $10,000 per year. Hansen explained that due to their decrease in church membership and inflated insurance costs they are not able to continue payments to keep the building.
The original agreement for Isaiah 58 to use the building was between founder Paul Smith and St. Paul Lutheran Church. No rent was collected but in return for using the building, Smith offered a “good will” donation that ranged from $400-$450 a month. There were no official documents as it was a verbal agreement that was sealed with a handshake at the time. The donation continued for many years, up until approximately 10 months ago when the church verbally advised Isaiah 58 that they were considering selling the building.
Hansen told KBest News that Isaiah 58 was offered first dibs to purchase the building through a finance option. At the time, the cost was estimated to be $500,000 because the building is over 7,000 square feet with a paved parking lot that sits on a corner lot on a commercial street. Since then, the church has sought advice from a real estate professional and the cost is now cited as $355,000. The property is not listed for sale yet, but Isaiah 58 still has a chance to purchase the building before it hits the market.
Isaiah 58 serves 400-500 people every month. Recently they’ve received numerous letters from their clients stating how important the centrally located food pantry is to their families and that they hope the organization will continue to stay open.
According to Nancy Loveless, CEO for Isaiah 58, the organization is coming up on its 25th anniversary on serving the community. She told KBest News that in order for the food pantry to continue serving the community they either need to raise $355,000 to purchase the building or a location. The new location must have enough space to accommodate their walk-in cooler and freezer (dimensions: 19 ft x 9 ft, 8 ft in height) as it’s imperative for them to continue to serve meat products and refrigerated grocery items.
Isaiah 58 will hold a fundraiser garage sale in the next few weeks and is currently accepting donations now. Those donations whether they are items to be sold or monetary donations can be dropped off at 809 Scurry St. during business hours.
Business Hours:
Monday 8-10:30 am / 2-5 pm
Tuesday 3-6 pm
Friday 8-10:30 am
Contacts for Isaiah 58:
- Nancy Loveless, CEO: (432) 214-4268
- Laura Garcia, garage sale coordinator: (432) 270-1161
- Barbara Carter, volunteer: (432) 816-6776
Monetary donations can also be mailed to:
Isaiah 58
P.O. Box 1103,
Big Spring, TX 79720
(Photo: 30 Day Notice to Vacate from St. Paul Lutheran Church sent on 05/23/23)
(Photo: Additional letter from St. Paul Lutheran Church sent on 05/26/23)
(Photos: Letters from Isaiah 58 clients)
(Photo: Volunteers in front of Isaiah 58)
(Photo: Isaiah 58 volunteers in front of walk-in cooler/freezer)
Isaiah 58 building and paved parking lot at 809 Scurry St.
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