Second Harvest Northland kicked off the public phase of its $20 million Nourish the Northland Capital Campaign today with an announcement, public gathering and tours at its new facility.
Since purchasing its new facility in 2022, SHN has secured $11 million of the $20 million needed to complete its facility construction and renovation project.
“The vision for this project is to increase the amount and variety of food available to our agency and community partners and neighbors experiencing hunger,” said Second Harvest Northland President/CEO Shaye Moris. “Our goal is to increase our food distribution from 11 million meals annually today to more than 16 million by 2032 throughout our 15 county region. This is our food bank of the future.”
As part of the public gathering $1.05 million in matching gifts to SHN’s capital campaign were announced.
The need for a new facility was identified by SHN and its board in 2019. Plans were put on hold with SHN’s emergency response during the pandemic which only exasperated its need for a new facility. Construction of a $4.2 million 13,600 square foot freezer/cooler increased SHN’s fresh and perishable food capacity 300% and the new facility itself increased dry food capacity 210%.
Plans for completion include the construction of a Volunteer and Community Engagement Center to increase SHN’s volunteer engagement and capacity. It also includes the construction of a market where neighbors experiencing hunger can shop for food in a grocery store-style setting. This will complement drive-through food access which was constructed prior to moving in.
“Together, we can end hunger and ‘nourish the Northland’ for generations to come,” said Moris.
She also asked the public to contribute to its regional campaign