Second Harvest Tri-Cities has started a $2 million capital campaign to expand the local charitable food distribution center.
Kathye Kilgore, Second Harvest Tri-Cities director, said the nonprofit organization that provides food to local food banks, is running out of space while demand continues to increase.
“We’ve seen a 30 percent increase in the last year and it’s all tied to this economy,” she said. “Based on the increasing need and to better serve the agencies that depend on us, we need a better facility.”
Second Harvest Tri-Cities currently operates out of a 5,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Kennewick, with a single, small walk-in cooler for perishables.
Kilgore said they would like to significantly expand the warehouse space and add modern, energy-efficient commercial refrigeration, equipment and fixtures. She said the project will make it possible for Second Harvest Tri-Cities to secure and distribute more donated food, including more fresh produce and other perishables, to the area’s food banks.
In 1997, when Second Harvest Tri-Cities opened, the organization distributed 182,000 pounds of food to hunger-relief programs in Benton and Franklin counties.
In 2008, the Kennewick distribution center provided 2.7 million pounds of food to food banks and meals centers throughout the area.
“Our network of partner food banks and meal centers is experiencing an unprecedented increase in demand for services,” she said. “It’s critical that we expand our capacity to supply donated food to these important community programs that are helping so many people in need make positive steps toward self-sufficiency.”
For more information about Second Harvest Tri-Cities and how to get involved in the capital campaign, call 585-3924 or go to www.2-harvest.org and click on Tri-Cities.
by Mary Hopkin
Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
