The Patrick County Food Bank recently was informed by representatives of Feed America, food providers for the USDA, that the agency’s facility standards were short of the climate control requirements.
After determining the scope of work and receiving estimates, the agency determined the cost for these improvements would cost approximately $26,000.
Due to generous help from our contractors, other local businesses and “many, many individual donations in the community, we were able to cover these costs,” said April Pendleton, who handles public relations for the food bank.
“Our food bank processes and packages 8,000 pounds of product monthly, that’s 96,000 pounds annually. As a comparison, a semi-trailer maximum load is 80,000 pounds,” she wrote.
Pendleton said volunteers “work 150-160 total man hours per month to provide this service. That’s approximately $2,400 a month free labor or $29,000 per year at today’s minimum wage. Over the last decade, that’s $288,000.”
The food bank currently serves about 200 families in Patrick County each month, she said, adding that “we do expect our demand to rise to over 200 families due to unemployment supplements and stimulus ending soon, which means our need for donations and volunteers will continue.
“In addition, our historical records indicate that our demand routinely increases during the holiday season,” Pendleton said. “We’ve also adjusted our operating procedures to drive through only to better maintain social distancing requirements and to better meet the needs of our community.”
She noted that “on behalf of the Patrick County Food Bank, I personally want to thank our great volunteers who always show within a minute notice and our caring donors who provide continual support.”
