Montgomery County Food Bank showcases its $6.5 million expansion, set to boost capacity by 18,000 square feet and provide 1 million additional meals annually amid record demand.
The Montgomery County Food Bank's major $6.5 million building expansion was unveiled to community leaders this week. The nonprofit's project will begin construction in April, adding about 18,000 square feet to its current facility. As demand reaches previously unheard-of heights, the refurbishment will allow the food bank to serve an additional 5,000 families each month to address the community's growing needs.
Some of the expansion's significant enhancements include a new welcome center, a 43% increase in cold storage capacity, more than 3,000 square feet devoted to crop rescue, and more than 5,000 extra square feet for workplaces and food storage. Additionally, the building will have a new volunteer center and common area, improving the organization's capacity to recruit volunteers and assist nearby families. The growth is slated to open spring of 2024
The Montgomery County Food Bank believes the additions will help deliver 1 million meals annually. In 2023 alone, the group provided over eight million meals to needy individuals, feeding an average of 80,000 people each month—a 23% increase from 2022. President & CEO Kristine Marlow attributed this spike to the region's population expansion, chronic inflation, and ongoing supply chain problems following the outbreak. Expanding is critical in the food bank's aim to combat food insecurity as demand rises.
