Eureka’s Food for People has reopened it’s doors after three years of rebuilding it’s facility after a sewer malfunction.
The former facility had to be closed due to a city sewer malfunction, causing major flooding and damages to the facility.
Yet, within those three years, Food for People did not hit the pause button on their operations as Executive Director Anne Holcomb discussed.
“Two weeks after the sewer inundation, the shelter-in-place orders were put into place. So we quickly had to change all of our food distribution protocols to keep everyone safe,” Holcomb said.
Food for People got to work from various locations and offices to rethink how they distribute food across Humboldt County during this dire time.
The organization set up drive-through distribution sites and left food on the doorsteps of seniors who rely on the pantry.
The new redesigned building will feature a new cold storage unit that will help keep even more fresh and healthy foods.
An on-site Choice Pantry has also grown larger, allowing more people to choose their foods with more dignity as described by Development Director Carly Robbins.
“If you come in here, people can shop through based on a nutritional point system, pick for foods that work for them diet-wise or they know what to cook with so they are not going away with anything that would go to waste,” Robbins said.
More than 16,00 people are served every month, distributing two million pounds of food annually in partnership with 100 agencies across the county.
Over six-million dollars have been raised to help with the re-design and rebirth of the building.
Food for People remains dedicated to allowing food access to all from children to seniors and families, even as new leadership comes with Robbins stepping into Holcomb’s role starting in July.
“I’m really excited. I’ve been with the organization for eight years through this whole process and we have an amazing volunteer, staff, board, and I know we can continue with the momentum that we have into a really solid future,” Robbins said.
A grand opening open house will be happening on Sunday, June 25th from 1 to 5 p.m. allowing for residents to explore the building for themselves and check out the space for themselves.
