A dedicated group of community leaders is working hard to tackle food insecurity in Owensboro-Daviess County. The Green River Community Food Warehouse (GRCFW) is taking a big step forward by planning to build a temperature-controlled warehouse for storing large amounts of donated food. This initiative aims to make fresh and healthy meals more accessible to those who need them.
Recent statistics from Feeding America show that over 15,000 people in this area face food insecurity. That translates to a staggering need for about 1.4 million meals each month. Steve Innes, a founding member of GRCFW, highlights that the problem isn’t just a lack of food; it’s a matter of having the right infrastructure in place.
“There’s plenty of food available, including fresh produce and proteins, but we lack a centralized facility to store it efficiently,” Innes explains. “When a company has surplus food, they should be able to call one place to handle the donation. Right now, that capability is missing in Owensboro.”
The roots of GRCFW date back to 2019 when the United Way formed a Hunger Relief Steering Committee to address food insecurity in the region. This group identified various challenges in food distribution and created a comprehensive database of local pantries and soup kitchens. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these challenges even more, as many pantries struggled to handle larger donations due to insufficient cold storage. United Way responded with grants to help some local pantries but recognized that a long-term solution was necessary.
Innes and his team, including leaders from various local food organizations, are now planning a larger-scale solution: a new food warehouse capable of storing both perishable and nonperishable items. Owensboro stands out as one of the few medium-sized cities in the area without a centralized food storage facility. Surrounding communities like Ohio County and Evansville have already established such infrastructures.
The proposed facility will cover 20,000 square feet, featuring storage for proteins, fresh produce, and dry goods. Fully operational, it could handle up to 20 truckloads of food each month. Rather than being a food bank for individuals, it will function as a distribution hub, providing food at no cost to local pantries and minimizing the logistical headaches many small organizations face.
GRCFW is collaborating with the Tri-State Food Bank to explore the possibility of running the warehouse. However, many local pantries still face operational challenges, preventing them from receiving food through this network. Innes stresses that the aim of this warehouse is not to replace but to enhance existing support systems.
To build the warehouse, GRCFW estimates a total cost of $4.35 million, which covers construction, refrigeration, and three years of operation. So far, they’ve raised approximately $1.2 million, with contributions from local donors and organizations. The City of Owensboro was the first to pledge public funding, contributing $100,000.
Finding the remaining $3 million has proven difficult, as many donors prefer to wait for larger commitments before stepping in. GRCFW is working closely with city and county officials to seek additional support, and Innes recently presented their case to the Daviess County Fiscal Court.
The impact of this project goes beyond logistics; it aims to address a critical issue of hunger in the community. Hunger can often go unnoticed, as those affected may not readily display their struggles. Many people facing food insecurity are working families, elderly individuals on fixed incomes, and schoolchildren reliant on meals provided by schools.
At the Ohio County Food Pantry, Rebecca Baird has seen the urgency firsthand. Cars line up for food distribution hours in advance, reflecting the desperate need in the community. “It’s truly eye-opening,” Innes remarked.
Amid this challenging landscape, the goal is straightforward: no one in Owensboro should go hungry. The project needs community support, whether through financial contributions or raising awareness. Innes believes it’s a public issue that requires a united effort.
For more details on how to support the Green River Community Food Warehouse, you can find additional information through the United Way and Feeding America websites.
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