AWARE Food Bank celebrated its new space on Wednesday in Woodburn with public tours around the facility.
AWARE Food Bank, which stands for All Woodburn Area Resources Enlisted, is open in its newly renovated building after it was damaged by arson in 2021. After working out of a parking lot and then the Hoodview Church of God, the food bank is back in downtown Woodburn.
The food bank has been open in the space since early January, with the event allowing community partners to tour the building. U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, Woodburn Mayor Frank Lonergan and more spoke at the event. They shared the story of the new building’s construction and praised the staff, volunteers and supporting organizations.
AWARE supports more than 1,800 families every month, said Deisy Chavez, AWARE’s program manager, with between 100-140 people come through each day it is open.
Upgraded facility
Construction for the new facility was projected to cost at least $5.3 million.
The 10,000 square foot building serves three purposes: as a warehouse, food pantry and community space, said Rick Gaupo, president of Marion Polk Food Share.