Food Bank of Delaware tops off new Milford facility
Despite windy conditions, the Food Bank of Delaware topped off the last beam in construction of its new $34 million facility in Milford.
On Feb. 24, the final beam was lifted off the ground and put into place, barely six months after ground was broken on the facility, located adjacent to Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club.
“It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago, this was an open field,” said incoming Food Bank Board of Directors Chair Steve Thompson.
Food Bank President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky said the new facility represents a beacon of hope for people who are struggling.
“Hope for the working family that is trying so hard to make ends meet, but they just need a little help. Hope for the senior citizen living off a small Social Security check and often chooses food and medicine over gas or over paying their bills,” she said.
The 67,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed later this year and will be a state-of-the-art facility complete with cold storage and warehouse space, a 5,000-square-foot volunteer room for workers, classroom and training space, a 3.5-acre garden to grow fresh foods and an on-site café. The Food Bank, which also has a facility in Newark, began the process of building a new facility during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became apparent the Food Bank had outgrown its current 16,000-square-foot facility on Mattlind Way.
“This building behind us will not only distribute food, but help our neighbors find long-term economic stability through job skills training, financial coaching and more,” Kanefsky said.
With the last beam in place, the next steps for the Food Bank are to now enclose the structure and continue fundraising. Kanefsky said it is the Food Bank’s goal to have the building open for business with no outstanding debt obligations. At this point, the Food Bank has secured more than $20 million of the $34 million pricetag for the building.
Kanefsky said the Food Bank sold its building on Mattlind Way, and the new owner is allowing them to lease it back at $10 per month until the new facility is completed.
As the final beam was set into place, Kanefsky said, “And that, ladies and gentleman, is a picture of hope.”
