BEAUMONT, Texas — The Southeast Texas Food Bank is taking part in a three-phase expansion project to better serve community members in need.
In just five years, the food bank has grown from 17 employees to 35, meaning their programs and services have grown too.
Phase one is a new 4,000 square-foot office in Beaumont, which is part of a $1 million project funded by the American Rescue Plan.
"Our new administrative offices with our meeting rooms, classrooms meeting rooms. We can do nutrition education classes, have community meetings here, board meetings," Southeast Texas Food Bank President, Harvey Zernial said.
Phase two is a 68,000-square-foot facility in Jasper, which is an area the food bank says lacks access to healthy foods.
"Part of that is fulfilling gaps and services that aren't really necessarily all-around food. What causes somebody to come here may be job-related, or skill-related. It may be transportation-related," Zernial said.
They'll be opening up a restore center to serve food out of Jasper.
"We also have the Jasper County, Newton Health Department coming in with us and about 14 other entities that are going to be on the property to fulfill those gaps in services," Zernial said.
The Beaumont location will house phase three, which is a 30,000 - 40,000 square-foot building with climate controls and refrigeration for food.
The food bank aims to bring fresh produce and meats into the community.
"We have to make sure we're whole and correct to serve the community better. If we can't carry frozen foods, if you can't do right with refrigeration with dairy and proteins," Zernial said. "We're not providing the most healthiest foods we can provide and we have to correct that."
The cement for phase one was poured in September 2021. This administration building is expected to be finished by April 2023.
Phases two and three are expected to take three years to complete.