KINGSTON — Just the thought of the Food Bank building closing stirs Barb Fulton’s emotions.

The building, which also housed Faith Community Church and VFW Post 2463, was built by Fulton’s father, Ray, about 50 years ago. The building originally housed ambulances next to the fire station — now the Firehouse Theater and Oak Table Cafe. It later transformed into Post 2463, adding Faith Community Church and one of two food banks in Kingston.

But the building, already vacated by the church and currently being vacated by the VFW, will soon be empty.

The building is owned by the Kitsap County’s Parks and Recreation Department, which is concerned about the safety of the building, County Commissioner Robert Gelder said in voice message in November. A fire safety inspection was done earlier in the year, and there is a significant amount of work that needs to be done. Parks and Rec Director James Dunwiddie said the building has had severe water damage from leaks.

The VFW, which was housed in the Poulsbo Armory before moving to Kingston, is relocating to the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Lodge, Post Commander Robert Loveland said. The relocation is temporary, unless it becomes a good fit for the VFW.

The VFW office occupied the building for about five to six years. During that time, Loveland said VFW members have tried to repair the roof and its leaks.

“It’s bad,” Loveland said of the condition of the building.

It would cost approximately $90,000 to renovate the building, Dunwiddie said. That $90,000 is money Parks and Rec does not have, he said. The next step is for the department to figure out its options. Those options include finding the $90,000 and occupants to help share the costs of maintaining the building and utilities, or demolishing the building, Dunwiddie said.

“It’s under both extremes,” Dunwiddie said.

Though the Parks and Rec department did contact the occupants of the post building, Dunwiddie said there was never a specific date given in which the occupants had to vacate. He said the department advised the occupants “they may need to start looking for a location.”

The Kingston Food Bank will temporarily relocate to the Windermere office building, 26569 Lindvog Road NE, after the holidays. The food bank will pay for electricity and phone service at its new site, but will not pay rent, Fulton said. The owners of the building have offered the space for two to three months. If the food bank needs some extra time to find a permanent location, Fulton said there is flexibility in the timeline.

However, if someone wants to rent the space long-term, Fulton said the food bank will have to vacate. The space has not been occupied for about five years.

The current food bank has a large pantry, three freezers and tables that display clothing and other items. The space in the Windermere building should be large enough for the food in the pantry and the freezers.

“It’s going to be a lot smaller,” Fulton said. “But we’ll make do.”

Fulton is thankful for the generosity from Windermere, which also donated 50 turkeys for Thanksgiving baskets this year. The food bank provided 62 food baskets total.

Fulton and the food bank volunteers are now preparing the Christmas boxes, which include gifts for children and food. The food donated includes rolls from the Borrowed Kitchen Bakery.

The food bank also receives weekly donations of Costco fruit and vegetables from Grub Hut owner Sean Pickard.

Because patrons of the food bank often walk to the current downtown location, Fulton does not want to see it move to far away. The Windermere location should be fine, but move too far out, and the elderly that walk there may have difficulty, she said. There are also the homeless living in the woods nearby that visit the food bank as well, Fulton said.

Fulton had to turn down an offer for a space on Highland Road NE, off Highway 104 near Wolfle Elementary School, because it lacked amenities and was too far away from downtown Kingston.

The food bank has occupied its current site for about 40 years.

If Windermere hadn’t stepped up to help, however, Fulton said she was not ready to quit. Fulton owns a 22-foot mobile home, which she is ready to use to continue the food bank’s services. Fulton is ready to take care of her people, she said.

Faith Community Church is also relocating — to Redeemer United Methodist Church, 9900 NE Short Campbell Road. The congregation most recently worshipped in the Firehouse Theater.

As for the post, Commander Loveland said attendance has been down recently. The move back to Poulsbo, where more members live, may improve attendance.