Feeding Westchester, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to combating hunger in Westchester County, is undergoing a remarkable transformation to better serve its community. Their current expansion initiative consists of three distinct phases to ultimately reach even more people in need throughout the region.
Phase 1 – Warehouse Transformation Increases Capacity
The mission to grow Feeding Westchester began with a comprehensive warehouse expansion that completed last month. Prior to this expansion, the sizable food bank in Elmsford occupied 25,000 square feet of space. With the addition of 12,000 square feet, the organization’s distribution center has now almost doubled its food storage and dispersal capacity. This enhancement enables Feeding Westchester and its partners to make an even greater impact on the lives of struggling families.
It’s about 50 tractor trailer loads of food that we’re now going to be able to store, so we’re all really excited.
Ryan Brisk, Feeding Westchester Vice President of Operations and Procurement
Beyond raw square footage, this first phase encompassed several other key improvements. Notably, incorporating two new loading docks and optimized shelving; therefore increasing the overall output of the facility.
Phase 1 Highlights:
- Inventory capacity doubled, from one month to two months’ worth, now totaling 2.8 million meals.
- 972 additional pallets of food storage, equivalent to roughly 50 more trailer loads.
- Enhanced staging and receiving area with five dock doors, facilitating streamlined operations.
Phase 2 – Office Expansion for an Evolving Mission
Phase 2 of Feeding Westchester’s expansion project involves a much-needed extension of office space. Their current office will grow an additional 6,500 square feet to support its dedicated staff. With planning underway, they hope to begin the build by the end of this year. Once complete, the 58-member staff will further aid Feeding Westchester’s commitment to serving local communities.
We envision a community where all people have access to the food they need today, and the fundamental resources to build a better tomorrow.
Phase 3 – Increasing Cooler Space
An increase to the refrigerated space at Feeding Westchester’s distribution center will be the third and final phase of this expansion. This increased cooler capacity is especially significant because nearly 40 percent of the food distributed by the organization consists of fresh produce. Nearly doubling the size of the cooler space by adding an extra 2,500 square feet ensures perishable items are preserved.
Food Insecurity a Growing Concern in Westchester County
The growth of Feeding Westchester’s facility is a dire need for many in the community. Because of the wealth within the County, many believe that food insecurity does not exist here. However, food insecurity in Westchester County, like in many other parts of the United States, is a real and growing problem.
Several interconnected factors contribute to its cause. High cost of living, lack of affordable housing, underemployment and unemployment force people to make impossible choices. Furthermore, barriers to government-funded food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC drive people to seek food from pantries partnered with Feeding Westchester.
In 2022, Feeding Westchester distributed over 19 million pounds of food. This is roughly equivalent to providing approximately 16 million meals. These food resources were delivered to various locations including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, mobile distributions, and residential programs.
It’s back to school time and we know that thousands of our kids are going to be returning to school and their families are looking to get some shopping done. Where we want to help them out is to make sure that they’re getting enough food on the table—because, as we know [with] developing children, the hardest one to educate is the one that is hungry
Christopher McGregor, Feeding Westchester Manager of Senior and Child Programs
Feeding Westchester’s phased expansion projects aligns with its unwavering commitment to alleviating hunger in our community. By doubling food storage and distribution capacity, optimizing operations, and enhancing services, Feeding Westchester is better positioned than ever to work alongside more than 300 partners and programs.
For more information about accessing food supports, volunteering, coordinating a food pantry event, or other ways to support Feeding Westchester’s mission, visit: https://feedingwestchester.org/
