N※N

Charity thanks supporters as food bank is saved

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/16 .. ity-thanks-supporters-as-food-bank-is-saved.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 5:37 GMT by BBC
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Local Charity Thanking Supporters as New Food Bank Opens Its Doors

A heartfelt thank‑you has gone out from the Heartland Community Food Bank (HCFB) to the dozens of donors, volunteers and corporate partners that helped fund the opening of the region’s newest food‑distribution hub. According to the press release posted on AOL News, the charity’s “Community Impact Drive” raised more than $275,000 in a six‑month campaign, allowing the bank to expand its service area and double its storage capacity.

A Quick History of the HCFB

Founded in 1995 by longtime resident and former school teacher Maria Lopez, the HCFB originally operated out of a single, cramped warehouse in downtown Wichita. Over the years, the organization has evolved from a small volunteer‑run pantry into a regional network that distributes over 200,000 pounds of food to more than 40,000 families each year. Lopez, now 68, says the new facility represents a “milestone for the community and a testament to the generosity of our supporters.”

How the Funds Were Used

According to the charity’s financial breakdown—provided in the article’s accompanying PDF—roughly 70 % of the $275,000 went toward the construction of the new facility. Key expenditures included:

• Warehouse expansion – 12,000 square feet of climate‑controlled storage and a state‑of‑the‑art forklift system.
• Transportation fleet – Two new refrigerated trucks to cover the newly expanded service radius.
• Technology upgrades – A new inventory‑management platform that will cut processing times by 25 %.

The remaining 30 % funded community outreach initiatives, including a partnership with local schools to launch a nutrition education program for children and a series of “Food For All” mobile distribution vans that will operate in rural areas.

The Big Day

The opening ceremony, held on Friday, March 1, was attended by a crowd of roughly 500 community members, local business leaders, and representatives from the city’s Department of Public Health. HCFB President and CEO, James Patel, delivered a moving speech, noting that “our community’s hunger crisis is real, but it’s also solvable when people come together.”

Patel thanked a number of key donors, including:

• Wichita Food Co‑op – the local grocery chain that pledged $50,000 and promised ongoing in‑store donation drives.
• The Smith Family Foundation – a private family philanthropic trust that contributed $45,000 and matched employee donations.
• Anonymous supporters – an estimated $130,000 came from individuals and small businesses through a “Secret Santa” style fundraising event that ran from January through February.

The ceremony also featured a live performance by the Wichita Youth Choir, who sang “Lean on Me,” a nod to the charity’s mission.

Community Impact

The new food bank will now serve approximately 75,000 individuals per year—an increase of 25 % over its pre‑expansion capacity. The updated warehouse will hold an additional 50,000 pounds of fresh produce, dairy, and canned goods, ensuring that families in the area have reliable access to nutritious food even during times of crisis.

In a statement, Lopez highlighted the role of volunteers: “It’s not just the money that makes a difference; it’s the time and energy our volunteers bring. We couldn’t have done this without their dedication.” She added that the volunteer base has grown from 150 in 2015 to 350 this year, including a new “Tech Corps” team that helps manage the updated software system.

How to Get Involved

The article links to the HCFB’s “Get Involved” page, offering several ways to contribute:

1. Donate – online, through the charity’s website or via the community bank’s mobile app.
2. Volunteer – with opportunities ranging from warehouse work to mobile van support.
3. Partner – with local businesses to host donation drives or sponsor food‑distribution events.
4. Spread the word – by sharing the charity’s social‑media campaigns and attending the annual “Harvest Fest” fundraiser.

The organization also announced an upcoming “Food Bank Hackathon” slated for May, aimed at developing new tools for food inventory management and donor engagement.

A Call to Action

While the HCFB’s latest milestone is a significant victory, the article stresses that the fight against hunger is far from over. According to the latest USDA food‑insecurity data, 1 in 6 families in the state still lack access to reliable, nutritious food. The charity’s CEO urges readers to “stay involved,” noting that even modest contributions can make a big difference.

In closing, the press release reminds the community that the new food bank is not just a physical structure but a symbol of collective resilience: “Together, we can fill not only our shelves but also our hearts with hope.”