A small fire early Monday at Tinley Park nonprofit Together We Cope resulted in extensive smoke and water damage and forced the temporary closure of its food pantry and resale shop, according to a spokeswoman.
The fire originated in a sorting room behind the nonprofit’s resale shop, Nu2u, 17010 Oak Park Ave., and while the fire was contained by the building’s sprinkler system there was smoke and water damage to clothing and furniture offered for sale as well as food in an adjacent pantry, according to Marge Seltzner.
Together We Cope helps people in need with regular food distribution and financial help in paying bills. The resale shop is a large revenue generator for the nonprofit, Seltzner said.
The nonprofit was scheduled to start its annual Thanksgiving food distribution Monday providing food to about 300 families, but most of the food items being stored, with the exception of canned goods, will have to be thrown out, she said.
Several frozen turkeys that were to be distributed were being kept in a truck outside the building and were spared, but Together We Cope isn’t able to distribute them at its site during the shutdown, which could be about two weeks, Seltzner said.
Together We Cope is working with other food pantries to try to get the turkeys distributed to its clients, she said.
But side dishes such as stuffing, potatoes and gravy will have to be tossed, Seltzner said.
The Tinley Park Fire Department said it responded about 7:30 a.m. to an activated fire alarm at Together We Cope, and firefighters saw smoke inside the building and quickly located the fire in the rear storage area.
The fire was being held in check with the building’s automatic sprinkler system, and crews were able to extinguish the remaining fire quickly, according to the department. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
There were no injuries, and Seltzner said the fire broke out before Together We Cope had opened for the day.
The resale shop has clothing, dishes and several pieces of furniture that were damaged by smoke and water, she said.
“I don’t know if we will be able to salvage much,” Seltzner said.
Those wishing to assist Together We Cope can contact Seltzner at [email protected].
If there is any good news, Seltzner said that Together We Cope was preparing for its annual Christmas giveaway of things such as new toys and children’s pajamas. Those were being stored in another building a few blocks away, she said.