The Bishop Griffin Resource Center broke ground for its new facility at 2875 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus on Thursday, Aug. 18. 

Participating in the groundbreaking for the Bishop Griffin Resource Center are (from left) Jim Cetavich (Ruscilli Construction), Casey Byrnes (Triad Architects), Tammy Tucker (Mid Ohio Food Collective), JoEllen Gohr (board member), Nancy Roberts-Moore (executive director), Bishop Griffin, Father David Schalk, Pat Kelley (Co-Chair, Lift Up Your Neighbors Campaign) John Igel (CEO, Igel Construction) and Tony Ruscilli (CEO, Ruscilli Construction).  CT photo by Ken Snow

The center was opened in 2007 in the former Columbus Christ the King Church rectory as a project of the diocesan St. Vincent de Paul Society and named in honor of diocesan Bishop emeritus James Griffin, who was present for the groundbreaking.

“I am both proud and humbled to have my name associated with this tremendous outreach of charity and hope to this part of our community,” Bishop Griffin said. “Let us pray that God will bring this construction to a successful completion, and that His protection will keep those who work on it both safe and happy.” 

Bishop emeritus James Griffin offers some remarks at the groundbreaking for the center that bears his name.  CT photo by Ken Snow

The center’s executive director, Nancy DeRoberts-Moore, said the former rectory, which has about 2,500 square feet of space, will be demolished shortly. It will be replaced by an 11,300-square-foot structure that will allow the center to greatly expand its services of providing food, clothing and household goods, as well as emotional support and hope.to anyone in need. 

She anticipates that the new building will be completed in June 2023. In 2021, there were 9,576 visits to the center’s pantry and free store. 

While the new center is being built, its operations are continuing in a building at 4009 E. Broad St., behind the Firestone store and in front of Target. Hours of operation are 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays. 

The center’s Lift Up Your Neighbor campaign has raised about $4.6 million to date. Anyone interested in donating may send a contribution to the center at 2875 E. Livingston Ave., Columbus OH 43209, or to The Catholic Foundation, 257 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215. For more information, go to www.svdp-bgrc.org.