The Regional Food Bank celebrated the opening of a new 50,000-square-foot distribution center in Montgomery, New York on December 4th, aimed at enhancing its services in the Hudson Valley region. The facility includes expanded cold storage and sorting spaces, allowing the food bank to serve nearly 180,000 people across six counties.
Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank, noted at the opening ceremony that the demand for food bank services has been steadily increasing, especially after a slight decline post-pandemic. Last year, the food bank distributed almost 48 million pounds of meals through over 1,000 food pantry partners in 23 New York counties.
Addressing the growing need in the post-pandemic era, Nardacci highlighted challenges like high living costs, underemployment, and inflation in the food bank’s latest annual report.
The funding for the new facility came from various sources, including a $10.7 million community development block grant, $9 million in private donations, a $3.7 million capital grant, and contributions from the food bank itself.
Gov. Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of the new facility in ensuring reliable access to fresh and nutritious food in the Hudson Valley. State Housing and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas and Empire State Development Commissioner Hope Knight also praised the project for its impact on the community.
The construction of the facility involved local labor from the Hudson Valley, and Nardacci expressed gratitude towards various supporters and past leaders of the food bank. The efforts also focus on supporting students through partnerships with organizations like Sullivan 180, aiming to provide not just food but also education on healthy choices for the next generation.
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