Hoosier Hills Food Bank moving

The Hoosier Hills Food Bank is getting a much-needed upgrade.

A new facility, located at 2333 W. Industrial Park Rd., will soon be theirs to call home.
The larger and more practical facility opens new doors of opportunity for the establishment that has served much of central Indiana since 1982.

Food bank staff members are excited about the prospect of better business and improved resources.

“We will be able to move a lot more food,” said Meal Share Coordinator Dan Baucco. “It will be a lot more efficient for us.”

The move was triggered by a lack of sufficient space at the current 5,000-square-foot facility located at 615 N. Fairview St. This forced Hoosier Hills Food Bank to borrow about 11,000 square feet of off-site warehouse space from private donors.

The new warehouse boasts almost 16,500 square feet, along with easier access for donating agencies due to its convenient location off State Road 37. 

“We’re really looking forward to consolidating under one roof,” said Executive Director Julio Alonso.

Alonso said he also hopes the new facility will provide a better experience for the member agencies who donate.

The current site has occasionally been problematic for large-scale donations due to its remote location and the small area of space available.

With the new building, agencies will be given their own waiting room, as well as more parking and easier maneuvering around the site so donations will be more convenient.

“The new space will be a lot more functional, and I think the member agencies will really benefit from that,” Alonso said.

The process of moving has already started, but the turnover period will come with some temporary inconveniences.

The food bank staff plans to have four business days where operations will be closed to agencies to set up and get organized. In addition, more painting, rearranging and packing needs to be done before open operations begin at the new site on Oct. 8.
“We’ve got the shell of it, but there is still a lot to be done up there,” Baucco said.

Despite the hectic period of change, Resource Development Coordinator Jennie Rasmussen remains optimistic that Hoosier Hills will be ready when the new doors are opened.

The food bank will hold an open house on Oct. 20 to celebrate the opening of the new facility.

“It will be a while before the dust settles, but we’re going to try to hit the ground running,” Rasmussen said.