Project Description
In 2017 the Bodega Bay Grange helped thousands of Sonoma County evacuees fleeing inland wildfires as an emergency center, providing food, clothing, housing and other resources. But because the Grange facility lacked certification as a commercial kitchen, cooking hot meals for evacuees was halted by Sonoma County Health Department.
In 2019, we committed to achieving County approved and permitted commercial kitchen status. Not only will this allow hot meal service during an emergency, it will also enhance the safety of our kitchen and allow local people to legally prepare food for commercial purposes.
Our professional kitchen design has been approved and permitted by the County of Sonoma Department of Public Health. A separate Sonoma County building permit is also in place. These permits require replacement and/or upgrades to plumbing and electrical systems as well as fire suppression and full ADA compliance of the kitchen and restrooms. All storage, countertops and equipment in the kitchen need to be replaced. To date, we have completed the ADA bathrooms, added storage, and updated plumbing and electrical.
We currently have spent nearly all of the approximately $225,000 in dedicated funds for the project. The largest source of funds has been private donations from local citizens, while funding has also come from the Bodega Bay Grange, California State Grange, the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival, Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Bodega Bay Community Center. The County of Sonoma (District 5) has contributed a permit fee waiver and Tourism Impact Fund support. A current estimate of the remainder of the project is $200,000.
Donations
Please click on the ‘Donate’ button for donations to our commercial kitchen by check, please fill out this form and mail to:
Bodega Bay Grange, P.O. Box 152, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Please contact us for information on donating tax-deductible funds. Thank you!