On Wednesday, July 6, the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank (MGCFB), Mayor Lester Miller, and other community leaders held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for its facility’s expansion at 4490 Ocmulgee East Boulevard. Click here to watch the entire event on the Food Bank’s Facebook page.

The expansion is made possible thanks to state and local American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs provided a $2,318,898 Community Development Block Grant, and Macon-Bibb matched its with $993,814 of its own ARP funds.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and Macon-Bibb County for this incredible investment in our work to serve our neighbors who struggle with food insecurity,” says MGCFB President and CEO Kathy McCollum. “The building expansion and renovation will allow us to build on our 41-year history by improving access to food assistance across 24 counties.”

“Too many people are struggling with food insecurity in our community, and this is another way we are working to improve access to healthy, quality food,” says Mayor Lester Miller. The funding for the Food Bank was part of nearly $2.5 million in ARP funds to be used to address food insecurity issues. “People should not have to worry about where their family’s next healthy meal will come from, and I want to thank the Food Bank for all they do to help keep that from happening.”

The expansion includes adding 4,594 square feet for the lobby and administrative space, as well as renovating 3,249 square feet of existing administrative space to house meetings, trainings, and volunteer space. These upgrades will make it easier for people of all abilities to access the facility, will make operations more efficient, and will allow more volunteers to be involved.

About the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank

The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank was founded in 1980 and is a member of Feeding America and Feeding Georgia. More than 102,000 people are considered food insecure in its 24-county service area, and it works with 170 partner agencies to distribute food in that area, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelter, backpack agencies, and residential programs, and more.

In 2020, the Food Bank distributed 12 million pounds of food, equaling 10 million meals. Even with that effort, demand continues to be high as neighbors struggle with effects of COVID-19 and economic factors