The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is preparing to break ground on a new facility in Athens. The new building will be located at 890 Newton Bridge Road, just across the street from its current location.
The building will increase the Food Bank’s footprint by 63,000 square feet, a 65% increase over current capacity. The additional space will help the Food Bank further its fight against food insecurity across the organization’s 14 county service area.
“In the world of Food Banking and ending food insecurity, space matters because people matter,” says Erin Barger, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. “For us, every square foot represents more food, fresher food, and humans who no longer worry about their next meal.”
Over the course of the Food Bank’s 30-year history, Barger says “our current facility was right-sized for that moment in time, and for that we are grateful. Now, we look to a future in which no single neighbor has [to] stress over food and basic provisions. This new home is the cornerstone in realizing that vision.”
The expansion will allow the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to double its on-site volunteer opportunities within the next five years. It will also increase the food bank’s annual output by up to 5 million pounds, or 4.2 million meals. The Food Bank works with 211 distribution agencies across the region and last year distributed 11 million pounds of food.
To learn more about the capital campaign, volunteer opportunities and donation efforts visit foodbanknega.com.
