OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – After years of planning, vision, and community support, East Alabama’s Community Market officially opened the doors to its brand-new facility Tuesday, January 6, marking a major milestone in the fight against hunger in Lee County.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Community Market Executive Director Martha Henk, who has led the organization since 1995. “It started with a vision of what this place could be. Our Community Market has existed since 2002, but we always knew it could be so much more. We were very deliberate about the symbolism,” she explained. “Behind me is a round welcome desk. That’s important because roundness implies that we’re all in this together. In our interview rooms, we have round tables, because when you sit down with a family, you want it to feel like you’re meeting among friends.”
That philosophy extends throughout the building, from colorful artwork and natural light to thoughtfully designed spaces for volunteers and clients alike…