A church with more than a century of doing good work in the Poplar Bluff community is asking for help to give an old building new life.
Brown Chapel A.M.E. would like to renovate the former Northside Nutrition building to serve as a community center.
Right now, they need votes to win a $4,500 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. The foundation is hosting an online contest that ends at 5 p.m. Friday and asks organizations to explain their mission in a 45-second video.
Poplar Bluff has already earned more than 200 votes, but is trailing behind a Cape Girardeau effort that has more than 700.
"We're looking at offering a tutorial service for seventh grade through high school, a food pantry and health and wellness services," said Annie Hinton, executive director for the future center. "But (the building) has been sitting for two years. We're trying to get it up and going. We need equipment, paint and remodelling."
The community center would target low income families, families in public housing and the surrounding neighborhoods, said Hinton, who is retired from teaching after nearly 30 years.
Hinton taught at Poplar Bluff Junior High until a year ago, and grew up here.
"The (building) is located in the center of the Ward 5 population," she said. "The community needs something positive in this area. They need to be able to go to a place where they can have positive activities."
This community center would also help residents give back to the area, Hinton believes.
"It's not just us giving back to them," she said. "Once you invest in the community, you have pride in the community."
Brown Chapel has partnered with Holy Cross Episcopal Church on the project. Holy Cross is offering advice on grants and other parts of the project, Hinton said.
"This is our first time working with grants. They have extended us a relationship and partnership, getting this building together," Hinton said. "We have nothing there. No chairs. No tables. Anything (anyone) can do to help get this center up and running, it would be great."
Holy Cross was recognized last year as a Jubilee Ministry, for its work with other programs to alleviate poverty and do advocacy, said the Rev. Annette Joseph. The church wants to be a part of projects that help the community as a whole, she said.
Brown Chapel will celebrate its 143rd anniversary this year, and is a place where Hinton says she sees kindness and friendliness for the people around them. The church is under the direction of Pastor William Harrold.
With a diverse population, the church partners with other churches in the downtown area and is always willing to help or accept new members, she said.
"The more votes we get, the better chance we have of winning this $4,500 grant," Hinton said.
To vote: Go to http://woobox.com/boq4de, click on the video Poplar Bluff Community Center and click vote.