Camden, Tenn.—A host of state and local dignitaries were on hand for the groundbreaking for the Second Harvest Food Bank branch in Camden Monday morning. Construction is set to begin in January for the new facility.
Benton County Mayor Barry Barnett, county commissioners, Camden city officials and officers from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee wielded the shovels at the groundbreaking ceremony.
The new branch will serve 14 of the 46 counties served by Second Harvest. The 25,800 square foot facility will generate an increase in meals provided to the more than 48,000 needy in the Western Tennessee service area.
The facility will include a warehouse with the capacity to hold shelf-stable, frozen and perishable food items for distribution as well as a volunteer engagement center that will allow volunteers to sort and process thousands of pounds of fresh produce, dairy, meat and non-perishable product.
Second Harvest has been serving the Western Tennessee service area for more than 11 years. Currently, food distribution in this area is coordinated through 65 Partner Agencies, who help provide 4.2 million meals to the area annually.
There has been a double digit increase in growth over the past five years, and this growth is expected to continue.
The investment for the Western Branch is $3.6 million, with a current fundraising total of $2.1 million. Once ground is broken, the facility is expected to be completed by fall 2018.
The facility is located in the Benton County Industrial Park.
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