MORTON, Ill. (25News Now) -When people face natural disasters or other types of emergencies, Midwest Food Bank is there to provide food and relief supplies.
The Midwest Food Bank broke ground Tuesday for what the organization said is a much-needed $6 million expansion of its location in Morton.
The new additions will include 20,000 square-feet of warehouse space. The additional space will be used to improve logistics, safety and create dedicated areas for volunteers and leadership teams.
“A couple years ago, we had a series of floods and hurricanes and even wildfires, and we just started to see the need for disaster relief grow. And we looked at our facility and said, ‘We need to do more, we need to do better,’” said Midwest Food Bank CEO Eric Hodel.
Midwest Food Bank sends out about 100 loads of disaster relief annually. With the new addition, Hodel said they will be able to double that to 200 loads a year.
“Our Morton facility is our packaging and logistics center. So, it allows us to store all of the items in boxes, but we’re able to quickly mobilize volunteers to come in and pack and put the boxes together,” said Holdel.
Founded on the mission to share the “the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition and providing disaster relief,” leaders said they want to remain and grow at home.
“We love Central Illinois. Midwest Food Bank was founded in Central Illinois. So, to do this here, it’s very special, and the people of Central Illinois are amazing. They are giving. They’re very giving of their time, of their talents,” said the executive director of the Midwest Food Bank’s Morton division, John Cirilli.
Midwest Food Bank provided relief for Hawaii during hurricane season, Texas during flood season, and even Illinois when it was hit by tornadoes earlier this year.
The expanded Morton facility is expected to be finished in October of 2027.
Comments