IVFB breaks ground on new facility
IMPERIAL — An endeavor the Imperial Valley Food Bank began in 2014 took another step forward on Friday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony for its new facility here.
The 28,000-square-foot facility will greatly increase the food bank’s warehouse, refrigerator and freezer capacities to store more food that is fresh and healthy.
It will also have modern loading docks to make the shipping and receiving of food much easier, and it will have easy access to public transportation.
“This is a testament to not only the commitment of foundations and outside agencies but the result of local entities and individuals committed to providing for their own,” said the executive director of the Imperial Valley Food Bank, Sara Griffen. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Imperial Valley; however, we still have work to do. We have not yet funded the project 100 percent.”
As of now the food bank has raised $5.1 million of its $6 million capital campaign goal.
That is enough to pay for the construction of the building, but the food bank will continue working toward its goal to fund the necessary equipment and amenities the facility will need. Griffen said IVFB decided to move forward with construction to lock in a fair price before the cost of the facility could rise.
The construction is expected to take about six to nine months, which gives the food bank additional time to raise the remainder of the funding needed.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Griffen recognized the major donors for the campaign, including Rabobank, which donated $1 million.
With that contribution the banking company obtained naming rights for the facility, which will be called the IVFB Rabobank Resource Center.
Other major contributors included a $1 million contribution from Imperial Irrigation District, a $500,000 grant by the James Irvine Foundation, and $50,000 from ZGlobal. “If you donated to this campaign, I thank you very much. If you have not, I welcomed you to join this noble endeavor,” Griffen said.
Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia made a check presentation to IVFB for $500,000 as part of a Cal Recycle food waste prevention and rescue grant. “(This couldn’t have been achieved) without the support of our public-private sectors, our farmers, corporations, the county, IID and everyone have played a huge role,” he said. “I’m honored to have been able to play a small role in this effort.”
Once the facility is completed, the food bank’s warehouse capacity will double, and it will have three times more refrigeration capacity. Freezer capacity will increase 150 percent as well.
The IVFB is the central distribution point for food assistance in the Valley.
The food bank works with more than 100 agencies, schools and churches throughout Imperial County to help the residents who are enduring hunger and food insecurity.
In 2016, the food bank distributed more than 4 million pounds of food. IVFB currently helps serves more than 20,000 residents in need, a number that has grown threefold in the last decade.
Food distributed through the food bank reaches local schools as part of its weekend backpack program. It also helps other organizations such as Catholic Charities and Neighborhood House to provide prepared meals for families.
“We know we are not done and there’s is a lot left to do,” said vice president of the IVFB Board of Directors Jim Abatti at the ceremony. “Fighting food insecurity in a community with limited resources is not easy, but it’s possible because of people like you who support the mission of the food bank and have supported this capital campaign.”