Food Bank Coalition looking for a new home
Due to the growth in services for healthy food assistance, the Food Bank Coalition has outgrown both of its warehouse facilities, currently located at opposite ends of the county in Paso Robles and Oceano. Carl Hansen, CEO of the Food Bank, has announced that his board has directed management staff to find, “a long-term solution that fits the needs of the county, allowing the food bank to run more efficiently while maintaining services to its agencies and direct programs throughout the county.” It is the food bank’s hope to find one large, centralized facility to better fulfill their mission and meet the changing needs of the community.
The food bank is currently meeting with local agencies for input on how to serve them best from one centralized location. Together, the Food Bank and their agency partners serve as vital non-profits in the emergency food network across the county. Many agencies are dependent on the Food Bank, receiving most of the food they distribute from them. Those agencies have been assured that every effort will be taken to maintain or even improve services to them, although there will be some changes.
One positive change is that the economics of one larger facility will allow the Food Bank to convert donors’ dollars into even more food for children, individuals, and families facing hunger. According to Hansen, the process will likely take 18 months or more, and the Food Bank promises meaningful dialogue in response to agency needs. By announcing this move well in advance, the food bank hopes to make the transition smooth, successful, and more effective in the mission of alleviating hunger and working with other agencies to build a healthier community.
About the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County
The Food Bank Coalition distributed six million pounds of food in 2014. Throughout San Luis Obispo County, 44,000 residents rely on the Food Bank Coalition and its network of community partners for supplemental food assistance. To alleviate hunger and meet this need, the Food Bank coordinates 52 public food distribution sites and works with over 200 non-profit Agency Partners with food programs to distribute food directly to the community. Thanks to the help of over 1,200 dedicated volunteers the Food Bank’s overhead is kept at a low six percent. In addition to their three public food distribution programs, the food bank administers seven other food assistance programs including: Summer Feeding Service Program (Lovin’ Lunchbox), Senior Farmers Market, and GleanSLO. To learn more about the work done by the Food Bank Coalition throughout San Luis Obispo County, visit their website www.slofoodbank.org.
