MILFORD, Del.- The Food Bank of Delaware is moving forward with expansion plans.
The organization broke ground Monday morning for an expanded facility at its Milford branch. The $2.6 million project will include an industrial kitchen and additional space for volunteers.
"We'll be able to make hot meals to serve children in after school sites," said Patricia Beebe, food bank president.
The expansion is expected to total about 8,000-square-feet. Construction work could provide up to 100 jobs. The organization still needs to raise about $1 million.
"We just didn't feel we could afford to wait until we had the total dollar amount because we just hear everyday that the need is increasing in Kent and Sussex," Beebe said. "We really felt we just needed to get the whole thing rolling and off the ground."
The kitchen will become part of the food bank's culinary school, preparing up to 45 students for work in the food service industry.
"I always wanted to help someone out in the long run," said culinary arts student Isaiah Gibson, who currently works out of the food bank's existing school in Newark, Del.
Former Rep. Michael Castle helped lead the fundraising drive as chairman of the capital campaign.
"This is something, frankly, governments can't do," Castle said. "They can't get to the level of doing the food work. That's why you need good non-profits, such as the food bank, to make a difference to help people."
Businesses, county governments, foundations and individuals donated to the project.
"I think by the time we're finished, we'll have raised the funds that we need," Beebe said.
The new facility should be completed by August 2013.
The Food Bank of Delaware broke ground Monday morning for an expanded facility at its Milford branch. (Photo: WBOC)
