CLAY COUNTY — With recent upgrades to Feeding Northeast Florida, the food bank is set to make an even more significant impact in the local community. 

Recently, the organization, which serves over eight counties, including Clay, acquired a $25 million new facility on 5245 Old Kings Road. However, $3 million still needs to be raised.

Tripling in space, the new facility sits at more than 110,000 square feet.

The new expansion will significantly affect Feeding Northeast Florida’s overall mission. The food bank takes a holistic approach to ending hunger in local communities. 

They hope to give families a glimmer of hope by providing access to quality food, resources and education. 

The additional facility space will double cold storage, allowing for the provision of more fresh produce and healthy foods and the influx of larger food donations.

Feeding Northeast Florida said it works with more than 495 partner organizations, including churches and social services, to distribute millions of pounds of food and personal hygiene products from donations.

In a news release, Feeding Northeast Florida president and CEO Susan King called the new facility their ‘boldest step yet’ towards helping people in need.

The demand has shown to be prevalent here in the county. 

In Clay alone, through June of this year, the organization said it distributed more than one million pounds of food, equivalent to 844,861 meals. Through June, it has also hosted 62 mobile pantries, giving the community more than 300,000 pounds of food. 

Feeding Northeast Florida Communications Manager Cameron Triggs said the new facility will help to continue the impact. 

“This new facility is going to be a logistic center of hope,” Triggs said. “That’s going to get food that exists to where it needs to go in Clay County to ensure that our neighbors have the nourishing hope they deserve.”