The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is breathing new life into the old warehouse.
"This was unbelievably important to us. it's going to make a huge difference in our community," Food Bank President Bill Kerr said.
The non-profit agency has purchased the 62,000-square-foot Lapeer road facility, which will more than double its current work and storage space.
"We ran out of space, and unfortunately, the need continues to grow. We'll distribute 20 million pounds this year, but we'll probably need to distribute 30 million in the near future," Kerr said.
Plans are in place to develop a Community Distribution Center that features a donor choice pantry. This will be where agencies can choose their food, based on the nutritional needs of their clients. The center will also work with Mid-Michigan farmers to provide fresh produce for people in need.
The warehouse will also house a teacher's education center.
"So many teachers use out of their own pockets. They buy granola bars and snacks for their kids or bring in coloring books. We'd like to have a pantry or teacher's depot center where they can come in and get products for their own students," Food Bank Development Coordinator Tracy Fowler-Johnston said.
Kerr knows that renovating the warehouse won't be easy. He hopes to have construction underway early next year.
"There's a lot of work, and this may be my last project before I retire, but it will be done, and it will be done for the betterment of all. That's the important thing of all," Kerr said.
All of the grand plans for the old warehouse come with quite the hefty price tag. We're talking around $2 million, but the Food Bank is already working hard to come up with their fundraising plan.
"We're very blessed to have some major foundations here. Our local community will help fund raise for this. They've always stepped up in the past to feed their hungry neighbors, and there's no doubt in my mind that they'll help us out," said Kerr.
The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan will soon be looking to accept bids for construction work.
The agency currently serves people in need throughout 22 counties.
