HAMBURG, N.Y. — Friday morning, FeedMore WNY celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking at its new campus that's being built in Hamburg.
The nearly 198,000 square foot space on Camp Road is needed to serve the more than 142,000 people a year FeedMore reaches through its programs. FeedMore has needed this new space for quite some time as it's already outgrown its current facility. In fact, FeedMore is having to rent freezer, cooler, and dry storage space just to keep up with demand.
The new place in Hamburg will include 74 acres and allow the agency to hire 25 new people.
"Here we will be able to more effectively address the needs of our hungry community members and some of them are hungry for food, and for love, and companionship, giving confidence and skills training to those that face great hurdles so they're not left behind, and planting the seeds both literally and figuratively here for a brighter future for all in Western New York," said Tara Ellis, President and CEO of FeedMore WNY.
The bigger space means more volunteers will also be able to help out by packing food and preparing it to be sent to Western New Yorkers in need.
The new campus on Camp Road will have more space for all of the food and for programs like RISE, FeedMore's workforce development program.
Friday's ceremonial groundbreaking was touching for Reverend Mark Blue who saw the need at his church in Lackawanna increase during the pandemic.
"One thing that I tell people, it's them today, it could be you today. You never know how things can happen to cause a crisis in the lives of individuals, but I thank God for FeedMore and being that needed help and support in our communities," said Rev. Mark Blue, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Lackawanna.
Rev. Blue is also looking forward to the expansion of RISE.
"This facility here also gives the opportunity for more growth, not only that, but more opportunity for job training. So they have expanded their footprint in doing what they do." said Rev. Mark Blue.
The project comes with a $107-million price tag. So far, they've raised more than $80-million as they continuing fundraising efforts.
The new campus is expected to open in about two years.