Earlier this month, a pipe burst at The Attic Youth Center, flooding parts of the second floor and the kitchen below it.
The kitchen, in which staff members and volunteers cook dinner for more than 45 LGBT youth every day, was largely destroyed, including the ceiling, walls, floor, counters, cabinets and all of the appliances. One of The Attic’s primary restrooms, located next to the kitchen, was also wrecked in the flood.
While the basic cost of repairing the kitchen is covered by The Attic’s insurance, the organization is fundraising to make up the difference to build a kitchen that will last.
Organizers of the fundraising initiative are asking the community to help raise $10,000 towards rebuilding the new kitchen.
As of presstime, the agency had raised $8,500.
“We are so appreciative of the community, who has responded in an incredibly positive, supportive and meaningful way,” Carrie Jacobs, executive director of The Attic, told PGN.
Jacobs stressed that the kitchen is an integral part of The Attic’s daily operations.
“Just like in a home, the kitchen is really the center, the heart of our home at The Attic. It’s one of the most important spaces we have. People come together, talk and cook. Food is comforting.”
The Attic receives food donations on a weekly basis from local restaurants Giorgio’s on Pine and The Oyster House. And volunteers from companies like Dow Chemical, Deloitte, Ernst and Young, PECO, Bank of America, Campbell’s Soup and LGBT grantmaking organization Delaware Valley Legacy Fund visit to prepare meals on a monthly basis. Volunteers and staff members fill in the rest of the time to cook hot meals for youth visitors, who number between 45-60 every night.
While the kitchen is under repair, Jacobs said The Attic has been serving meals that don’t need to be heated. The bathroom was repaired and reopened last Friday, though any additional funds raised after the goal amount will go towards improving it.