Channel One plans $1.65 million expansion
By Matt Russell
Rochester Post Bulletin
Thu, Aug 31, 2006
Channel One Food Bank and Food Shelf is getting ready to triple the
size of its food shelf floor space with a $1.65 million expansion aimed
at more effectively serving local families in need.
The project, which is expected to begin in the next few weeks and could
be finished by December, has three main components:
- A 3,600-square-foot addition to the east side of the warehouse.
- Increasing the food shelf floor space from 824 square feet to
2,202 square feet.
- Moving offices and conference space to the second level of the
building, which will be accessible by a new elevator.
Increased demand for food shelf services has put a pinch on space
in the building Channel One has occupied for 18 years, according
to Channel One officials.
Since 2000, the number of visits at the food shelf has more than
doubled, from 1,100 per month to 2,600 per month, according to
Channel One executive director Carla Johnson.
On Wednesday, Channel One officials said they have raised
$708,000 during the private phase of a capital campaign for the
expansion project, surpassing the food shelf's preliminary
fundraising goal for moving the construction project forward.
Channel One is looking for donations from the community to complete
its capital campaign. The food shelf has received a $200,000
commitment from Mayo Clinic, $80,000 of which requires a match
from new community donations.
Other contributions to the project include: $100,000 from Think
Federal Credit Union, $50,000 from the Carl and Verna Schmidt
Foundation, $25,000 from the Rochester Area Foundation, $25,000
from the Mardag Foundation, $25,000 from Wells Fargo, $15,000
from Hormel Foods, and $10,000 from Faribault Foods.
How to help
Donation forms for the Channel One expansion project are available
at www.channel-one.org. Click on the "Setting the table for the
future" link.
