Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MILFORD — The Milford Food Bank marked a major expansion of its operations Saturday, May 2 with a ribbon-cutting and open house for its new warehouse facility at 112 E. Emeline St., drawing community members, volunteers and local partners to celebrate the milestone.
The event, held from noon to 3 p.m., featured tours of the new building, free lunch from Fellowship Mission's It's All Good food truck and ice cream for attendees, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony that reflected the organization’s mission and history.
Operations Manager Bill Doege led the ceremony, driving a forklift through a ribbon to symbolize the first delivery entering the new warehouse. The moment highlighted both the practical nature of the food bank’s work and the growth it has experienced in recent years.
“This building is here because of people who believed in it and worked to make it happen,” Doege said during remarks to attendees, emphasizing faith and community support as central to the project’s completion.
The expansion comes as demand for food assistance continues to increase across the region. Development Manager Angie Deak said the project has been several years in the making, beginning as a response to growing needs among the food bank’s partner agencies.
“A couple of years ago, the idea started to take shape, and we broke ground about 11 months ago,” Deak said. “We didn’t expect it to move this quickly, but the level of support, both financial and in-kind, made it possible.”
The new facility significantly increases the food bank’s storage capacity and improves efficiency in its operations. The expanded space includes a larger warehouse for food storage, a designated packing room for repackaging bulk items, and office space for staff.
“These upgrades help us operate more efficiently and ultimately serve more people,” Deak said.
Milford Food Bank distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food each month to more than 240 partner organizations, including food pantries, churches, recovery programs and community groups throughout northern Indiana and southern Michigan. With the new building, the organization expects to nearly double its reach.
The project also reflects a broad collaboration among Sterling Contracting, B & B Roofing and local businesses and contractors, many of whom contributed materials, labor or services. Donations of concrete from Freedom Rebar & Concrete Supply Inc.; discounted rates from Kuerte Concreate and Hoosier Concrete Pumping; and free construction materials and specialized work from Sterling helped reduce costs and accelerate the timeline.
Community members attending the open house were encouraged to explore the new facility, meet staff and volunteers, and learn more about how the organization distributes food and supports regional partners. Board members were available throughout the event to answer questions and provide guided tours.
In addition to the formal program, the atmosphere remained celebratory, with families and volunteers gathering to share a meal and mark the occasion together.
Deak said the new building represents more than an operational improvement.
“This isn’t just about having more space,” she said. “It’s about being able to respond to need more effectively and continue supporting the people and organizations who rely on us.”
