The Quilcene Food Bank has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 161 Herbert Street.

In a prepared statement about the new facility, Jefferson County Food Bank Vice President Deisy Bach noted 350 clients are served per week and that “the numbers keep growing.”

Quilcene Food Bank supports the Coyle community by sending a weekly pop-up food pantry to the Laurel B. Johnson Coyle Community Center.

“The existing facility is too small, with no heat or air conditioner in the food storage area and we have limited parking,” stated Quilcene Food Bank Manager Leslie Tippins.

“The pandemic also brought to light the fact that we need additional storage to store extra food in case of an emergency.”

The Quilcene Food Bank currently operates out of the Community Center in Quilcene, a building which is also used by various community groups. Food is stored in a building behind the facility, which has been problematic.

According to Bach, when trucks deliver food, Tippins and volunteers must move the food from the truck to the storage building, then to the main building on the morning the food bank is open for distribution. Any food that is left at closing time must be moved back to the storage building until the following week.

Donations to help with the new building can be made online at jeffersoncountyfoodbanks.org or by mail to PO Box 124, Port Hadlock, WA 98339. Write “Quilcene Building” on the memo line.