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The Puyallup Corps’ larger facility includes an expanded food bank and ceramics classes.
By Lora Marini Baker
The Salvation Army Puyallup (Wash.) Corps celebrated the completion of its building renovation and expansion on June 21 with a public grand opening and luncheon hosted by Northwest Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries Major Sheryl Tollerud. Puyallup Mayor Rick Hansen and members of the Advisory Board attended the event.
The Puyallup Corps is located about 50 miles south of Seattle, and serves clients in many nearby Pierce County communities. The original building was built in 1989, but the community population nearly doubled in the past 24 years. Fundraising has also increased during the past four years, which helped fund the construction.
“We’ve simply outgrown our current building,” said Major Premek Kramerius, corps officer in Puyallup. “The need is great in our community, and this additional space will allow us to serve more people, and do so more efficiently.”
The new 2,000 square feet increases the building space to 12,000 square feet. The facility now includes an expanded food bank and storage area with a new reception and kid’s corner to facilitate visits for clients and their families. Two new classrooms have also been added for the corps’ extensive Life Skills program.
“Our social services mission is to help people break the cycle of poverty and help them become self-sufficient,” said Kramerius.
The corps hosts monthly Life Skills classes, including lessons in budgeting, resume writing and interview skills. The new classrooms also double as art rooms. The Puyallup Corps hosts weekly art classes led by practicing artists including: ceramics, painting and portraiture. Artwork from the classes adorns the renovated and new spaces throughout the corps.
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