Chelan Valley Hope, Lake Chelan Food Bank near completion of expansion, remodel work

CHELAN – Chelan Valley Hope has moved into its new building, providing more office space and privacy for clients while allowing the Lake Chelan Food Bank to expand in their previous shared location.

The remodel plan for Chelan Valley Hope and the Lake Chelan Food Bank started over two years ago due to space constraints as demand for services and staff grew. This transformation will give both organizations more space and resources, enabling them to provide enhanced support services to those who need them most.

“We are thrilled to share that after years of growth and sharing space, we have officially moved in,” CVH Development and Operations Manager Mikayla Gonzalez said.

“While there are still some finishing touches to complete, everything is coming together beautifully,” she said. “Our team now has plenty of office space, and the entire space feels like home. It’s an exciting new chapter, and we couldn’t be happier.”

Gonzalez said the entire staff feels fortunate to have a beautiful new building that is designed to help them serve the community in ways they could not in the previous space.

“It offers abundant natural light, more office space to accommodate our growing staff, and additional private areas to better serve our clients,” she said.

The new building also offers more storage for their community resources, which helps them operate more efficiently. It also offers a washer and dryer for clients to use. 

“Having access to clean clothes can make a huge difference—whether it’s for a job interview, keeping children clean, or simply making life a little easier during tough times,” she said.

CVH will also be installing showers in the bathroom to make sure that everyone has access to basic hygiene. 

“These are essential resources that can restore dignity and provide comfort, and we are so grateful to be able to offer them soon,” she said.

“One of the most exciting aspects is that the building has already been used as an overnight warming station, providing a safe place for people to sleep during extreme cold weather,” she said. “It worked wonderfully, and we are so grateful to have a space that allows us to expand our services.”

The move had its challenges, but thanks to a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community support, the transition was smooth and fast, she said.

“This building represents so much more than just a physical space—it symbolizes our growth, our future, and the trust our community has placed in us,” she said. “It’s a reflection of our commitment to serving our clients to the best of our ability.”

In the new space, CVH can expand their services, reach more people in need, and work toward their long-term goals of ensuring no one in the community goes without essential resources. 

“It’s a huge step forward, and we’re excited for what’s to come,” she said.

Now that Chelan Valley Hope has moved into their new building, the Lake Chelan Food Bank has been able to more than double their space. 

However, the food bank is still working to renovate the space to fit their needs. Floors need to be refinished before they can reorganize the space to work for their clients, Lake Chelan Food Bank Director Richard Springer said.

“As food prices increase around the country, so does food insecurity,” Springer said. “As such, the Lake Chelan Food Bank is seeing a significant increase in clients visiting our facility, as food insecurities increase in our community also.”

With increased demand the food bank found it necessary to remodel their current building to enable them to serve their clients and the variety of foods they offer.

“Now that Chelan Valley Hope has moved into their new offices, the work on our side has just begun,” he said. “We added on a covered drive thru area to keep our volunteers and clients out of the weather. The old office walls that were once CVH home, have been removed.  Now we have a large open space that is currently having the floors refinished.”

Once the floors are completed, the walk-in freezer and refrigerator will be installed. The increased fridge and freezer space will allow the food bank to store more perishable foods at optimum temperatures. 

Then inventory will be moved to the new space while the floors are refinished on their current side of the building.

“Once that is done, the fun begins,” he said. “We are going to reorganize the entire space to better serve our clients.”

When the work is completed, the food bank will hold an open house for the public to see the remodeled space.

Chelan Valley Hope has been a cornerstone of support for residents in rural communities like Bridgeport, Entiat, Mansfield, Manson, Orondo, Pateros, and more, offering services that address issues such as rent assistance, homelessness, overdue utility bills, access to food and hygiene items, and more.

“The tenet of our service is to help people move forward in their lives,” CVH Executive Director Tamra Hively said. “To support this, we provide case management services that help clients develop personalized plans for achieving long-term stability and independence. Our case managers work with clients to identify the steps and resources needed to put these plans into action.”

The remodel marks a pivotal moment for Chelan Valley Hope and the Lake Chelan Food Bank, ensuring that both organizations can continue to meet the growing needs of their community for years to come.

For more information about CVH, visit chelanvalleyhope.org. For more information about the Lake Chelan Food Bank, visit lakechelanfoodbank.org.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.