News Summary
Second Harvest of the Big Bend is embarking on a significant expansion with the construction of a new Impact Center aimed at combating hunger in the region. This facility will enhance food assistance and educational programs, addressing the 5% increase in food insecurity. Fundraising efforts raised $16 million for the project, the largest in the organization’s history. The 27,000-square-foot building is set to be completed by June 2026 and will include areas for meal distribution, education, and volunteer engagement.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Second Harvest of the Big Bend is marking a significant milestone in its expansion project with the construction of a new Impact Center aimed at combating hunger in the region. This new facility is set to enhance the organization’s efforts to provide vital food assistance and educational programs to the local community.
The expansion, which is the largest in the history of Second Harvest, is vital in addressing increasing food insecurity in the region, which has risen by 5%. The organization has seen a remarkable increase in food distribution, doubling the amount of food provided from 11 million pounds to 21 million pounds over the past three years. The new Impact Center, located at 4446 Entrepot Boulevard, is expected to dramatically improve the capability of Second Harvest to serve those in need.
Fundraising efforts for the new facility took three years, successfully raising the budget from $10 million to $16 million. The construction of the 27,000-square-foot building is anticipated to be completed by June 2026. A topping-off ceremony recently took place, symbolizing community support with the placement of the final steel beam and marking a key moment in this ambitious project.
Facility Features and Resources
The new Impact Center will include essential features such as dedicated areas for storing fresh food, meal distribution, educational and production kitchens, and a 5,000-square-foot volunteer area that will allow for increased volunteer engagement. The expansion is designed to not only increase storage and distribution capabilities but also to foster programs that address the underlying issues of chronic hunger in the community.
Community Impact
Second Harvest serves students and their parents across 30 school markets in nine counties, providing direct access to food through school pantries. The organization operates seven 24/7 grocery lockers to facilitate on-demand food access for those in need. This innovative model is critical in ensuring that families facing food insecurity can obtain meals conveniently and consistently.
Future Plans
The Impact Center will be a hub for various programs aimed at interrupting the cycle of hunger in the Big Bend area. With additional resources and space, Second Harvest aims to implement more community events and educational initiatives targeting food insecurity. These will contribute to long-term solutions for families relying on food assistance and promote healthier food choices.
Community leaders have expressed strong support for this expansion, emphasizing the ongoing need for Second Harvest’s mission as they continue to respond to the growing demands of food insecurity in the area. The collaborative effort of local supporters and the commitment to raising funds reflects a shared determination to tackle hunger in the community effectively.
As Second Harvest of the Big Bend looks ahead to the completion of the new Impact Center, the organization remains focused on its goal of creating sustainable solutions to address and mitigate hunger, thus enriching the lives of families and individuals within the community.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: Second Harvest Expands with $16M Impact Center
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- Tallahassee.com: Top Five Takeaways from the Village Square’s Fast Forward Event
- Google Search: Food Relief Pantries
- WTXL: Second Harvest of the Big Bend Faces Impacts from Federal Funding Cuts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hunger
- WTXL: Leon County Libraries & Second Harvest Keep Free Lunch Program Going
- Google News: Second Harvest Food Bank
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
