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New Expansion Project at Families Forward
As the largest-serving food pantry in our state, demand for our services has grown significantly in both volume and complexity. Last year alone, Families Forward Bidwell Pantry distributed record quantities of nutritious food to households experiencing food insecurity, expanded culturally responsive offerings, and increased relationships with community partners to meet other needs of our families. This sustained growth has pushed our current facility beyond capacity, straining both storage and the people who make our work possible.
To continue delivering reliable, dignified service, Families Forward Bidwell Pantry must expand. The project adds:
- Additional food storage space to stabilize inventory, accept larger deliveries, and reduce shortages and waste. More dry storage capacity will let us stock nutritious staples and non-perishable items consistently, improve choice for guests, and lower per-unit costs through bulk purchasing.
- A dedicated staff and volunteer break room that supports retention, safety, and performance. Our team manages physically demanding shifts and high-volume distribution; a proper space to rest, hydrate, and debrief reduces burnout, improves morale, and sustains the human infrastructure behind our impact.
- A private bathroom for staff and volunteers, meeting basic workplace standards and minimizing congestion in guest areas. This separation enhances privacy, sanitation, and flow during peak service times.
These improvements directly translate into better outcomes for the community. Enhanced storage will increase the number of households served, the nutritional quality of the food provided, and the reliability of supply during seasonal spikes and emergencies. Investing in safe, dignified spaces for our team strengthens capacity, reduces turnover and training costs, and preserves the quality of service our guests expect.
Without this expansion, we face growing wait times, reduced choice, and higher food loss—limitations that would fall hardest on families, seniors, and workers already under strain. With it, we safeguard and scale an essential lifeline, ensuring our state's largest serving pantry can continue to meet rising need efficiently, respectfully, and sustainably. We would like to break ground on this project in August 2026 with a plan to be completed before the holidays, our busiest and most chaotic time of year. With your support, we can make this happen for our community! |
