Marion Polk Food Share Appeals for $6M from State to Expand Warehouse and Combat Food Insecurity

The leader of Marion Polk Food Share in Salem is feeling the crunch of limited space. Rick Gaupo, the executive director, often faces the problem of a full freezer. With only 1,850 square feet for storage, they sometimes have to turn away food donations, rearranging crates like a game of Tetris just to keep the most perishable items in front.

Grocery stores usually want to donate food quickly. They can’t hold onto it for days, so if the Food Share can’t take it immediately, it goes to waste. “We need to accept food when it’s available,” Gaupo explained. If they can’t, it’s a missed opportunity.

Gaupo recently observed a larger food bank in Colorado that serves a similar community. This bank has a more efficient freezer setup, allowing them to process donations faster and accept more food. “It really changes how much food they can take in,” he noted.

Since moving to their current location in 2004, the Food Share has doubled its distribution, delivering over 9 million pounds of food last year alone. They support 70 pantries and feed about 18,000 families every month. However, leaders believe they have outgrown their current space. They’re considering plans for a new warehouse that will support their growing needs, including a larger freezer, more cooler space, and a kitchen to prepare Meals on Wheels food on-site.

A group of bipartisan legislators in Salem are pushing for a bill that could provide $6 million to help the Food Share secure and renovate a new facility. The total project cost is estimated at $24 million, with funds coming from various sources, including donor contributions and federal grants.

Right now, the Food Share operates out of a 30,000 square foot warehouse. They aim to find a new space between 60,000 and 100,000 square feet to better meet the changing needs of the community. In their early days at their current location, most of what they served was non-perishable food. Now, more than half of their inventory includes meat, dairy, and other items that require refrigeration.

If they secure state funding, plans could move forward to purchase a larger building they have in mind, with renovations aimed to start in 2026. This new space would improve operations for Meals on Wheels too. Currently, they split meal preparation between their warehouse and a city facility, which was never designed for such a large volume of meals.

Gaupo believes this is a pivotal moment for the Food Share. “We want a facility that will last for decades,” he said. “This is our chance to make a lasting impact.”

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