ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - The Food Bank of the Albemarle has completed phase 1 of their facility expansion project.
The project brings increases in refrigerated and freezer space and is funded in part by a grant through Feeding America.
It will enable the food bank to provide more fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean protein than ever before.
The Food Bank said over the past nine months, their food distribution has increased dramatically. Demand for food increased in key areas of the 15-county service area served by the Food Bank by 15% to 21%, driving up distribution by 2 million pounds over the same period in 2019.
Through a Feeding America grant award, the Food Bank received $635,000 last August to be used for capacity building for the Food Bank and their agency partners. Hunger-relief partners were awarded $272,768 for capacity building, including refrigeration equipment and transportation subsidies.
Food Bank of the Albemarle directed $302,500 of the grant award for the expansion project. The remaining funds were used to cover equipment rental and fuel temporary refrigeration for cold and dry storage.
The facility expansion was also funded in part by a $100,000 grant by The Cannon Charitable Foundation. The remaining funds to finalize the project were from CARES Funding the Food Bank received.
“Today, we are excited to announce that Phase 1 of the Food Bank’s expansion plan is complete, and adds an additional 80,000 cu. ft. of refrigeration and freezer storage space,” said Executive Director Liz Reasoner. “This expansion will enable the Food Bank to distribute more fresh nutritious produce than ever before, at a time when unemployment and hunger are rising.”
For additional information on Food Bank of the Albemarle and the on-going facility expansion click here.
