New Durham Food Bank Branch

I finally had the pleasure of going to visit the new Durham Branch of the Food Bank of central and eastern NC. The president and CEO Amy Beros invited me to come have coffee and catch up and see the new branch. I sadly missed the grand opening due to another commitment, but this private tour was even better.

I have been very involved in the three previous branches of the Durham food bank. When we moved to Gilbert St. which was not an ideal building in an even less desirable location I sometimes would mop the floor in the partner shopping area to no avail as the linoleum was permanently stained. During council meetings in our tiny conference room Carter, who was no more than five or six, would sit on a ratty sofa by the front door and sometimes hand out papers about food pantries to people who came to the door looking for food.

It was a big step up when the Durham Branch moved from downtown to east Durham, not because of location, but because of the sheer size of the building. It was cleaner, but not a lot safer. It was in that building on Angier Ave that the volunteer center was named in my honor when I retired as the board Chair of the Food Bank. Many a friend would send me a photo of themselves at the food bank standing in front of my photo. I loved that people let me know when they would go volunteer to sort food.

So with safety, cleanliness and more space in mind the Food Bank moved again to north Durham to a fabulous warehouse space with lovely offices and a HUGE volunteer center. It is called the Food Lion Hunger Solutions center thanks to a very generous million dollar donation from Food Lion. The Dana Lange Volunteer center is closed to make way for the new Publix volunteer center for which they donated $350,000 for the naming rights. I gladly step aside for that fabulous donation, especially since we don’t even have a Publix in Durham yet. Does that mean we might get one? One can only wait and see.

As for now, I am very proud of all the good work the Food Bank continues to do in our 34 county area. The past two years have added many new challenges for so many and no one should go hungry.

Congratulations to Amy and her team for doing the great work and looking out for those who just need a little help today. You never know when it might be you tomorrow.