GARDNER, MA- On Thursday July 20th cameras began rolling at Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) when NBC’s George Oliphant and the “George to the Rescue” crew arrived to begin shooting an episode of the show’s 15th season. George and his crew will be “rescuing” MVOC’s food and clothing pantry for an episode of the show to air this November.
For over 40 years MVOC has provided housing and support services to veterans and veteran families throughout North Central Massachusetts. The pantry itself offers not just food and clothing, but household goods, hygiene items, books, and more operating solely on donations and local partnerships. The pantry is located in the basement of MVOC’s Central Street Gardner location and the show will be performing a much needed top to bottom renovation of the space, working with local interior design team Jane Barnes Interiors to get the work done.
“While our pantry works hard to serve veterans and their families, the space itself is long overdue for an update. We are beyond excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to see the surprises in store for us! We won’t see what the space looks like until it’s finished and revealed, but the renovations done in previous episodes of the show are always amazing and such high quality.” said Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Marchetti.
MVOC Executive Director Stephanie Marchetti, George to the Rescue Host George Oliphant, and MVOC Founder Cathy McWilliams
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors Cathy Stallings McWilliams shared “I am not only extremely grateful, but tremendously excited that George to the Rescue has chosen MVOC as its next project! Providing much needed free of charge renovations to our food and clothing pantry will not only be wonderful for our dedicated employees and volunteers who work so hard providing these necessary services to our clients, but will offer a comfortable, updated and relaxed atmosphere for our Veterans and their families who utilize these services. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to George and his crew for not only choosing MVOC to provide these amazing remodeling updates, but for also bringing MVOC and its’ mission to our Veterans into the national spotlight!”
A temporary pantry has been set up in another area of headquarters so that the film and contractor crews could have full access to the space for the approximately 8-week long renovation. Electricians, flooring crews, painters, artists, and more have all donated their time and resources to make this project amazing for the veterans of North Central Massachusetts.
