By WJBC Staff
BLOOMINGTON – Midwest Food Bank has announced plan to relocate its office and distribution center at 1703 S Veterans Parkway, Bloomington.
The non-profit is purchasing an office and warehouse at 2031 Warehouse Drive, Normal, President and CEO David Kieser announced on Wednesday. The new location formerly housed the Bloomington-Normal Seating Company, which had been a supplier for the-now closed Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal.
“The last five years has seen an increase of over 130 percent increase in the value of food distributed from Midwest Food Bank,” said Kieser. “The new location will allow us to accept more food and increase the number of agencies we serve.”
The Normal location has nearly 100,000 square feet of warehouse space, more than triple the current 28,000 square foot warehouse. There are five additional semi trailer loading docks and increased parking space for agencies and volunteers.
Keier said the new address is easily accessible for semis, and is closer to the interstate than the current location. The additional square footage will eliminate the need for rented space. The facility will have space to add coolers for frozen and refrigerated items which will be especially helpful in handling the large amounts of fresh produce MFB has been receiving.
“The extra space will solve a number of issues that have risen,” said Kieser. “There will be a drive-through area for distribution week that will increase productivity and safety.”
Last year, 13,563 volunteers helped the food bank distribute food valued at $111 million to pantries and not-for-profit agencies. Midwest Food Bank also provides disaster relief in partnership with The Salvation Army, distributing over 40,000 cases of food and personal care items so far in 2016, most recently in Louisiana.
Founded in 2003 by Kieser and two of his brothers on the family farm, Midwest Food Bank distributes food without cost to over 1,000 not-for-profit pantries and social service agencies in eleven states and Africa. In addition to Bloomington, Midwest Food Bank has facilities in Peoria and Morton; Indianapolis; Peachtree City, Ga., Ft. Myers, Fla.; and Kenya, Africa. A new division will open soon in Arizona.
Nearly one million people receive assistance through Midwest Food Bank partner agencies each month.
