The Ocean Park Food Bank has embarked on a daunting mission to
purchase its current building and land, and to plan an addition to expand
storage area and provide more services to clients. This endeavor requires
a large financial investment and outside funding is critical to our success.
We have been leasing our current building for 13 years. The building is
in need of many physical improvements but the location is ideal for many
clients who live nearby and walk or ride bikes to pick up food. It is also on
a bus line and is near two supermarkets who deliver the large quantity of
food we purchase on a weekly basis.
Two years ago, we found ourselves with the prospect of having to find a
new location. We exhaustively canvassed the area and could find no
suitable building to move to or a parcel of land to build on. We have
shared our predicament with local churches, fraternal organizations, and
government agencies. We have met with the Director of the Economic
Development Council, the Director of the County Planning Commission,
and the county commissioners.
Our current landlord is now willing to sell us our building at a reasonable
price, but we must secure funding to help with the down payment and
upcoming renovations. We also will be increasing our operating budget by
assuming utility and insurance costs. We have received $50,000 from the
county commissioners. We have also applied for several grants and will
continue to do so.
The local community has been extremely generous to us over the years
and we hope that they will continue to support us.
Michael Goldberg, President
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