The Mid-Ohio Food Bank is moving into Grove City.
The city approved the permit in late July, that allows the food bank to move into the old Simmons Mattress building off Marlane Drive.
Mike Boso, chief building officials for the building and zoning division said the old warehouse, located at 3690 Brookham Dr., is a 204,000 square foot facility. The food bank will renovate it for use.
"This will be a good addition for the community," said Boso.
Matt Habash, president and CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Bank, said they bought the property just over a year ago. They plan to start reconstruction in September. It will take about a year to rebuild.
"We are very excited about this opportunity," said Habash. "We still have a way to go."
The non-profit food bank decided to relocate for the additional space.
"This building is about three times the size of the building we are in now," Habash noted. "It will give us more space for food, for volunteers, for everything."
The current building is a 65,000 square foot facility on West Mound Street. Habash explained that the food bank has been in that location for 22 years and has only remodeled once.
"The new location in Grove City is a good location for us," he said. "It’s right by the major highways, which would give us easier delivery access."
Boso said the food bank is planning to make the renovations environmentally friendly.
"It’s going to be a ‘green’ building," said Boso.
He explained that the development plan sets aside space for a garden in the front of the property that the food bank will use to grow their own vegetables for distribution.
Habash said the building itself will be more energy efficient and they will use mostly recyclable material.
The Mid-Ohio Food Bank has been in business for 28 years. They provide food to over 530 food pantries, kitchens, shelters and other charities. Their goal is to feed children, seniors and low-income families.
Since 1980, the food bank has provided more than 400 million pounds of food and other grocery products to people in the community. They are a member of America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest non-governmental, domestic hunger relief program.
The organization relies heavily on local food drives. They also receive food and funds from retailers, growers and food service businesses.
The Mid-Ohio Food Bank serves 20 counties in the state.
