Gwen Van Dorp is the President of the Board of Directors of Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, known by all as BACN.
Gwen reminded us that BACN strives to improve the quality of life for people with limited resources in our community by providing food, clothing, financial assistance, education and social support with priority to five populations:
- children in poverty
- seniors
- working families
- migrant farm families
- the homeless
In 2016 the BACN Board conducted a study with respect to future needs and concluded that BACN was highly regarded but needed to increase its capacity. After considering its options, the Board concluded that constructing a new facility was the most cost-effective and sustainable solution. Thus began the BACN BUILDS fundraising campaign.
The plan is to build a facility occupying 11,130 square feet with a construction timeline of September 2021 to June 2022. The estimated cost of the construction is $3,350,000, and BACN is within $175,000 of that goal. BACN has arranged for a construction loan from Honor Bank but wants to be debt-free.