Dignity Health Food Bank Cuts the Ribbon on Expansion and Upgrades
This week marked a significant milestone for Shasta County as Dignity Health’s Connected Living food bank celebrated the completion of its newly expanded facility. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a momentous occasion, signaling a new era for the designated food bank serving the community with enhanced capacity and resources.
For 25 years, the food bank has been a cornerstone for those in need, providing hot meals, groceries, and meals to go for children, seniors, and low-income families. Stacey Wadley, the Director of the food bank, emphasized the significance of this expansion. "This is the first time in our facility's history that we have expanded," Wadley stated. The upgrades include a massive walk-in freezer, a new lobby, additional office space, and increased storage capacity. To support the expanded operations, four new staff members have been added, transforming the food bank’s ability to serve the community.
The need for expansion became evident as the facility had been operating with only two staff members and limited space. According to Joe Ayer, Executive Director for Dignity Health's Connected Living facility, "What we found was that we have about a 30% food insecurity rate here. Thirty percent of people are not sure where their next meal is coming from, and that to me was just not acceptable." This rising need pushed leadership to enhance the food bank's capacity and reach.
Wadley is optimistic about the future, stating, "The sky is the limit for the food bank now." Plans are underway to expand their programs further, not just providing food to those who come to them but also meeting needs directly within the community. "We’re supporting our partners in serving the people they’re serving," Wadley explained. "We really want to create a network of agencies that are fighting food insecurity in this county."
One of the exciting new initiatives planned for launch is a backpack food program for local students. This program aims to identify at-risk families and provide backpacks of food for students to take home over the weekend. With the expansion complete, the program is aimed to be operational by August.
The expansion was made possible through a $1.3 million state grant and an additional funds raised through community support, including contributions from the food bank's board of trustees. The upgraded facility, with its brand-new lobby space, is already open and seeking more volunteers to help meet the growing demand.
For those interested in volunteering or donating, more information can be found on the food bank's website or through the Mercy Foundation North, the philanthropic branch of Dignity Health.
The completion of this expansion marks a significant achievement for Dignity Health’s Connected Living food bank and a hopeful future for combating food insecurity in Shasta County.
