RALEIGH - The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina moved into their brand new facility on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh this week.
"We started with a very small warehouse and a card table and a phone and have grown to this facility," said Senior Manager for Communications Jessica Whichard.
The 85,000 square foot building is double the space of their old facility.
"We'll be able to increase the amount of perishable food that we bring in, more healthy foods," said Mari Carlfisher, Food Resource Coordinator. "More produce, more dairy, more meats, things like that that folks really need in our communities."
They are able to give out 64 million pounds of food to 600,000 people in 34 counties.
As in years past, the need for more food increases around the holidays.
"This time of year we do food drives. We do have different events that the community can get involved in. We appreciate any food and funds and volunteer time they can contribute to us," said Retail Program Supervisor Caitlin Cohn.
They are also collecting items for victims of Hurricane Matthew.
"Folks are getting back into their home as the shelters are shutting down and in those communities what they really need are supplies to try to get things cleaned up so we are looking at cleaning products, mops paper products, bacterial wipes, things like that," Whichard said.
They also accept monetary donations. They are able to provide five meals for every dollar they receive.
To give or learn more about the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, click here.