Clarksville, TN – As First Presbyterian Church prepares to celebrate a bicentennial year in 2022, they have dedicated 50 cents of every dollar they raise in a three-year Campaign to seed the Loaves & Fishes plan for expansion in a completely new facility. The first installment of this nearly half-million-dollar, three-year commitment by the church came on Sunday, September 8th, 2019 in the form of a check for $150,000.
This significant support arrives as construction begins on a 15,500-square-foot building at Crossland Avenue and Martin Street that will feature all of the Loaves & Fishes facilities under one roof, including a larger kitchen and dining room, an expanded gathering space, rooms to provide social services, and abundant space for a food storage warehouse and distribution center.
Issac Wright, Loaves & Fishes Construction Project Manager, noted the importance of the contribution at this crucial phase of construction, saying “It is a shot in the arm and an encouraging reminder during this busy time that we have deep support for this vital mission from many, many people in Clarksville.”
Loaves & Fishes President, Tamara Long, expressed appreciation on behalf of her board for this significant gift and pledge. Jill Crow, Loaves & Fishes Capital Campaign Chair, reminded everyone that First Presbyterian Church’s pledge is a great first step.
This pledge represents about a third of the total $1.5 million initial goal for the project. Currently $1.3 million has been pledged by the community for the new facility.
“More needs to be done,” she said, “because the cost of preparing the land for construction has been more expensive than the early estimates. We hope that other Clarksville churches and civic organizations will be inspired by First Presbyterian Church’s example to help us finish this campaign strong. Put us over the top!”
According to Judge Ross Hicks, Chair of the First Presbyterian Bicentennial Committee, the pledge by First Presbyterian Church to Loaves & Fishes celebrates the central role the church has played in supporting the Clarksville community since 1822.
The ties between the city and the church run very deep, as the church property at Third Street and Main Street was a donation made by Lucinda Elder, charter member of the church and wife of Clarksville’s first postmaster (1808) and mayor (1820). The church plans a year-long celebration downtown in 2022 to mark its birth.
What: Loaves & Fishes Capital Campaign and First Presbyterian Church Bicentennial Preparations
When: Ongoing
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 213 Main Street, and Loaves & Fishes, 215 Foster Street, Clarksville, TN 37040
Why: To expand the services of Loaves & Fishes to the hungry and needy in the Clarksville community through the construction of a new kitchen, dining room, and program facility.
Who: First Presbyterian Church – Loaves & Fishes of Clarksville
Contacts: Tamara Long 931.358.3503, Joyce Norris 931.206.3242
URL: www.fpcclarksville.org | www.loavesandfishestn.org
