Workers from three different construction companies came together Friday to put a new roof on the Christian Service Center food pantry in Niles.

Food pantry volunteer Patty Mollison said they are grateful that the workers donated their time in order to replace the old roof, which was the original one put on in the late 1980s.

“We appreciate their efforts because when they donate their time it frees up finances to support the food pantry itself,” she said. “So their gift of time for a roof is much more than a roof — it is feeding people.”

The Christian Service Center, located near St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 322 Clay St., offers food and other services to needy people in the greater Niles area.

Mark Lamarre is one of the men who donated his time to help put on the new roof. He is a member of the St. Mary’s parish and on the church’s building and grounds committee.

“Everybody realizes there has been an awful lot of hard time lately,” Lamarre said. “This was a good opportunity for us to get together as contractors and show solidarity for something worthwhile.”

Helping out Lamarre Friday was Terry Mason. Both are of Traditional Craftsman.

Brett Crouch and Rafael Frias, both of Brett Crouch Construction, and Skye and Levi Burlingham, both of Skyway Construction, also donated their time to the project.

The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday and Friday.

The pantry can be reached by phone at (269) 683-4082