Kitchen Renovation for the Salvation Army

One of the best parts of our work has to be our ability to contribute to our community and to improve people’s lives by updating their spaces. We love seeing our clients be able to enjoy the functionality of a fresh renovation, and when that space also happens to be a community center, the results are even better. We recently had the opportunity to do just this when we renovated the kitchen for the Reading Corps of the Salvation Army.

We were awarded the project after a bidding process and got to work as soon as possible. This was our first time working together with the Salvation Army. We interviewed Major Darren Mudge about the project, and he reported that what they were looking for in a construction firm was one that was responsible, had a good reputation, and wouldn’t drag the project out. Mudge stated, “we had confidence that DESCCO would get quality work done and in a timely manner.”

This project consisted of kitchen renovations for the building’s existing commercial kitchen. There was a lot of work to be done, including relocating the dishwasher and the hood, some roof work and millwork, the ceilings, adding epoxy flooring, and various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing additions. This space is used heavily in an afterschool program that the Reading Corps runs, so the project needed to be completed in a timely manner. This kitchen was last renovated thirty years ago and the needs of the project were extensive. In the end, the project was completed and all of the finishing touches were wrapped up within about ten weeks. 

Although this was a large project and one where the rest of the Corps building remained in use during renovations, everything went smoothly. Chuck and Grady were the main contacts, and Major Mudge reported that they were great in terms of communication, cooperation and responsiveness. He said that together they were easily able to resolve any issues that arose and the team seemed dedicated to the project. 

The new kitchen turned out to be a big hit with the Reading Corps! They love the expanded work surface that lets them cook more meals and overall improves the functionality of the space. Major Mudge said that it was “a pleasant experience working with the team. [They] became part of the staff here and didn’t get in [the] way.” The staff also appreciated that they were able to continue working in the building while renovations were going on. When asked if he would recommend DESCCO to another company, Major Mudge said “absolutely, without hesitation.”

We were so thrilled to get to work with our local branch of the Salvation Army on this project and contribute to a space that’s going to be such a big part of programs in our community. From red kettle Christmases and clothing collections to childcare and supportive housing, the Salvation Army plays a large role here in Reading, PA and we’re proud to say that DESCCO has now given them a space that they can continue to use to change lives!