YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
The Connecting Grounds church organization purchased a new building for a community outreach center with help from a $155,000 anonymous donation.
The Connecting Grounds on Aug. 7 closed on the purchase of the 3000 W. Chestnut Expressway property, buying the less than 1-acre parcel from Robin Highfill, according to Greene County assessor and recorder filings. The Christian-based organization announced the completed deal in a Facebook post over the weekend, indicating the total investment for the former flea market was more than $175,000 and that a loan was not needed since the amount was covered by donations.
"We don’t have a name or a face to put with this amazing, generous gift, but we do have an overwhelming amount of gratitude for them and the positive community impact that they have made possible," officials said in the post.
Church officials are continuing to fundraise for the community center, with plans in the works for a food pantry, clothing bank, computer lab and mobile outreach preparation base, among other features. The building previously housed Frisco Flea Market.
Christie Love, lead pastor of The Connecting Grounds, said the goal is to open the center in September.
The building purchase follows the move this summer of The Connecting Ground's church to 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway from 1109 E. Commercial St.
At the Chestnut Expressway property, the organization also operates a family connection center that hosts supervised visits for families currently separated in the foster care system, Love said. The foster family center opened this weekend, she said.
The Kebab Shack opened; Hitch Goods launched; and The War Zone Springfield moved.