We are grateful for God's blessings as we continue our soft launch phase. Warehouse shelving is beginning to fill as we obtain products from existing organizational relationships and new distributors in our region. We are utilizing 30% of our approximately 1,500 pallet positions, containing everything from Kellogg products to first aid items. One of our 40' freezers is now running and contains pallets of pot pies and quiche and gaylords (big cardboard tubs) of mixed frozen items.
The regional need to fight food insecurity is clear, as we have new agencies contacting us every week. These food pantries include agencies in locations ranging from Thompson to New Haven to New Milford to Springfield, MA. We have more than 40 in the onboarding process and will be distributing to more than two dozen nonprofit partners in February. Agency representatives are extremely pleased to be able to offer a wider variety of foods to their clientele.
Our facility continues to take shape and we are proceeding with the second phase of renovations. We plan to complete our offices, conference room, and potluck kitchen in the next few months. The new overhead doors for the warehouse have finally arrived and will be installed later in February, and our front restrooms should also be completed soon.
We can now begin to repack bulk items! We have expanded the planned area for volunteers to sort and repackage on the community side of the facility. We have Starbucks coffee beans to grind and 7' tall kones (see photo at right) of cold cereal to scoop into smaller poly bags, label, and seal. Come join the fun by signing up for these opportunities here.
We will be seeking experienced volunteers willing to lead sort and repackaging groups at regularly scheduled weekly times. We are very pleased that Brent Carl will be able to transition into the new role of Volunteer and Community Relations Manager to recruit and manage the volunteers so crucial to our mission. In mid-February, we will be welcoming John Pesaturo as our new Operations Manager. John brings food warehousing experience and a heart for our mission, and we are thankful for God's provision in filling this position.
Thank you for your continued prayers for MFB New England. If you would like to make a monetary donation, click here.