RF Food Pantry breaks ground on new location - River Falls Journal

RF Food Pantry breaks ground on new location - River Falls Journal

"Approximately two years ago the pantry board and volunteers realized we were starting to outgrow our current space," Anderson said, "and the hunt to find land or an existing building was started."

Anderson said a relocation committee searched for a suitable area, land at 703 St. Croix St. was purchased in October 2018, and a building design created.

"With the new building we will be better able to accommodate the growing amount of households who visit the pantry," Anderson said.

She said about 1,200 households visited the River Falls Community Food Pantry in 2017; that number was more than 1,300 in 2018. She said the food pantry sees 15-20 new families coming in per month.

"The increase is most likely due to the amount of poverty level and ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in the River Falls area," Anderson said, "which comprise about 56% of the population."

She said the larger space will allow more people to visit the pantry. The new location will have a larger shopping area, more storage space for donations, as well as an educational room for volunteer training, group presentations and allowing other agencies to share information about their services with food pantry visitors.

Anderson said construction is set to finish this fall and a grand opening is planned once the move to the new location is finished.

Anyone wishing to donate can visit www.rfcp.org, or contact Anderson at info@rfcfp.org.