The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is expected to expand its Athens, GA location soon.
As reported in the Athens-Banner Herald, on Sunday, Nov, 13 board members and supporters came together to celebrate the new project’s groundbreaking, which will double the size of the food bank’s storage.
John Becker, president and CEO of the food bank, told the newspaper that the new facility will have a grocery store quality cooler and freezer, a larger shopping floor area and an awning outside the building to protect cars and people from possible rain as they unload food.
Construction will begin by the end of the year and it is planned to be complete by April, Becker said. The new facility will be built around the existing building, so the food bank can remain operational.
After nearly four years of campaigning, $7 million was raised from donations and new market tax credits, Becker said.
Most of that money was used to build out the Clayton County facility, and almost $2 million of it will be used on the Athens location, Becker said.
J
ack Tarver, a financial manager and Watkinsville resident, donated $500,000 to the project, and thus the new Athens building will be named after him. His family has always donated to food banks so he is continuing that tradition.
“My sister and I grew up in a good financial situation, and we learned that because of that we always need to help those in need,” Tarver said.
The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was created to help end hunger, and Becker said he will continue to fight for that each day.
“I made it my mission that anyone is truly in need and asks for help that they’re not turned away,” Becker said.
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