Mission Lexington announced the groundbreaking for its new facility, which will take place on Friday, Aug. 28, at 8:30 a.m. at its new property, 1426 N. Lake Dr., next to Pilgrim Lutheran Church. The organization welcomes the community to join the celebration as construction begins and the design of the new building is unveiled.

Mission Lexington CEO Amy Reeves describes the upcoming groundbreaking as "a long time coming" after the organization's multi-year search for a larger location.

According to Reeves, the groundbreaking will celebrate the organization's expansion and serve as the kickoff for the construction of its new 30,000-square-foot facility. Clearing of the property is expected to begin in November, with construction scheduled to start around the beginning of the new year after all permits are approved by Lexington County.

Mission Lexington is working closely with Anne Bell, project manager at Fitts and Goodwin General Contractors. Todd Sease and Lori Long of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture have also overseen the building's design process.

Over the past several years, Mission Lexington considered multiple different properties before the land next to one of its founding churches, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, became available.

"It is an amazing full-circle moment for us," Reeves said. "Throughout this process, we have been very prayerful. God knew all along He had this property for us."

According to Reeves, the construction is expected to take about 10 months and the organization hopes to open the new facility toward the end of 2027.

"Our fourth quarter is very busy," Reeves said. "We are working to get into the new building so we can help our neighbors at that new larger scale during the holidays."

While the new facility is under construction, Reeves said Mission Lexington's current location at 216 Harmon St. will remain open to serve the community. Once the move is complete, the organization plans to sell its 14,000-square-foot building.The nonprofit moved into its current 14,000-square-foot space about 12 years ago. 

The current space is staffed by 31 people, about 200 weekly volunteers and a fully operational social services center, food pantry, donation center, administrative offices and thrift store.

“Out of this one property, we are meeting over 40,000 different needs a year, including feeding over 2,000 people a month, and providing social services to more, serving over 250 people a month, and add in our bustling thrift store and donation center... all of that is happening every single day in that 14,000-square-foot building,” Reeves said in a previous Chronicle article. “When Mission Lexington first occupied this building, we never thought we would expand like we have; however, with Lexington growing, the large number of needs we are meeting has risen as well.”

"There will be absolutely no lapse in services to our community during this transition," she said. "Our contractor is very committed to making this a smooth transition for us, and our doors will remain open to help."

Reeves said the community recognizes the need for the new building but will need support to make it happen and continue serving a growing number of neighbors.

"As excited as we are and as confident as we are that this is God's plan, please consider supporting us and helping us move into this new space as we expand this ministry," she said.

Read more about Mission Lexington, how you can seek help from them or how you can contribute to its mission at missionlexingtonsc.org. 

According to earlier Chronicle reporting, Mission Lexington meets over 40,000 needs annually. That includes feeding over 25,000 people annually, serving over 250 families monthly, giving over $2.2 million in groceries annually, feeding over 10,000 children annually, distributing over 60,000 articles of clothing, shoes and linens annually, and receiving from over 18,000 donors annually.