Durham welcomes new food distribution center amid ‘worst hunger crisis’ in generation

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — Durham is celebrating the grand opening of a food distribution center aimed at tackling hunger around the region.

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The massive hub for meals is set to serve six Triangle area counties. According to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, one in six people living in those counties are facing food insecurity every day.

“Unfortunately, we are facing the worst hunger crisis we’ve seen in a generation,” Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina President and CEO Amy Beros said. “This facility actually doubles the size of our former facility so that we can get more fresh produce and protein into the hands of our neighbors in need.”

Ribbon cutting day for the Durham Food Lion Feeds distribution center. (Ben Bokun/CBS 17)

On Tuesday afternoon, elected officials and community leaders gathered for a ribbon cutting on the Food Lion FEEDS Hunger Solution Center in Durham.

The center is located at Welcome Venture Park on Hamlin Road.

“Sometimes you can care about something and not have a place to put it into action,” Food Lion Mid-Atlantic Division Vice President David Garris said. “This facility will give people an opportunity to put that care into action and I think it will also bring community leaders together.”

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The 64,000-square-foot facility will serve as a hub for food distribution and sourcing as well as advocacy and volunteer work.

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  • Ribbon cutting day for the Durham Food Lion Feeds distribution center. (Ben Bokun/CBS 17)
  • Ribbon cutting day for the Durham Food Lion Feeds distribution center. (Ben Bokun/CBS 17)

“When you have a facility like this, a lot of times community leaders will find their way to it and find different solutions, new solutions, new solves for food insecurity,” Garris said.

Hunger relief advocates said the new building is just another step to a future where no one goes hungry.

“As a staff member of the food bank, we have the privilege of carrying out the mission, but it’s the community who makes this possible every day,” Beros said.

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