Last view of old kitchen before renovation started
Old kitchen decommissioned, temporary kitchen on site, new kitchen being built!
The number of residents, as well as their need for specialized meals and food preparation, have grown beyond the capacity of the facility’s 64-year-old kitchen.
A complete renovation is required, and the planning and funding of the kitchen renovation project have been in the works since 2020! Currently, 40% of the Center’s residents are aged 40 and over and 73% of the Center’s residents require some form of nutrition intervention to support their health.
Kitchen trailer being unpacked and prepared for service
Because those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience the effects of aging far earlier than the neurotypical population; the residents at the Center represent a highly vulnerable population with many physical challenges.
View of the building where the old kitchen is being renovated from the temporary kitchen
The Center maintains a full nursing staff and social work department to provide for residents’ health and welfare. A new kitchen will provide adequate space for food preparation and the ability to meet the residents’ needs and to comply with current and future health department codes.
The “Kitchen-to-Go” trailer was delivered to the Center on April 24th. The kitchen staff has been working hard moving everything out while still preparing meals.
The project includes demolition, excavation for installation of grease management systems, and the addition of ventilation and electrical system upgrades. New equipment to facilitate specialized meal preparation will also be installed.
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
