Abilene food bank's $4M expansion to extend hours, service to community

Parkhill architect Jesse Bernard outlines the plans for the expansion of the Food Bank of West Central Texas as James Wagstaff listens March 17.
Parkhill architect Jesse Bernard outlines the plans for the expansion of the Food Bank of West Central Texas as James Wagstaff listens March 17.

It's going to take more than the luck of the Irish to build an expansion to Food Bank of West Central Texas.

it's going to take some green, so maybe that's why the Abilene nonprofit that's celebrating 40 years chose St. Patrick's Day to publicly announce its $4 million project.

Or maybe it was because the 16-year director of operations is named Patrick. For the recent event, he was dubbed "St. Patrick" Dembach.

"I want you to know that without financial support and food support and volunteerism, we cannot do what you see before you, and what you see our future will be," Dembach said, standing near visualization of the project.

More:Food Bank hits 40: Regional distribution center feeds a need that is growing

Serving green punch and green thumbprint cookies, and wearing greenish anniversary T-shirts, staff, former staff, board members and representatives of partner agencies gathered March 17 to launch a project that will "put a face on hunger" in Abilene and in 12 other West Texas counties.

The architectural firm Parkhill has been charged with the project that will use an area on the east side of the facility for a drive-through pickup area. The goal is to be open non-traditional business day hours.

But that's not all. Plans call for creating a cohesive look to the current 30,000-square-foot plant that has undergone three previous expansions. New signage will identify the location as Food Bank of West Central Texas.

An architectural conception of the drive-thru expansion to Food Bank of West Central Texas.
An architectural conception of the drive-thru expansion to Food Bank of West Central Texas.

A state grant of $1.5 million has been secured. The total cost actually is closer to $3.5 million but $4 million is sought because construction prices have been so volatile.

James Wagstaff, who formerly headed Big Country AIDS Resources, has been hired to raise awareness of the food bank and funds.

"It is time to expand," he said.

"We have seed money and I've already been speaking with the big foundations in Abilene," Wagstaff said. The remainder of the money that's needed will be raised from the public.

Wagstaff said construction will begin this year, with a target completion of sometime in 2025.

Former food bank director Jody Houston spoke at the kickoff event, recounting the start of the food bank in Abilene.

She said programs existed to help those with food needs "but they needed a source."

The food bank began with a small building in the area of the present location "but as you can see, we've grown multiple times," said Houston, who was associated with the food bank for 18 years. She named Sonny Hermann and John Herring as key to the start of the operation.

Sonny Hermann moves a pallet of food at when then was Food Bank of Abilene on Jan. 6, 1984. That was the opening day for the local food distribution effort.
Sonny Hermann moves a pallet of food at when then was Food Bank of Abilene on Jan. 6, 1984. That was the opening day for the local food distribution effort.

"(Sonny) taught me more than I ever wanted to learn about warehousing food items," she said, smiling. "John had a moving company and he had the vans and the trucks to move everything.

"Those two literally took it upon themselves to start collecting food and distributing that food out."

She told the story of getting a call from Impact, which was where Abilene residents back in the day went to purchase alcohol. The two men went to pick up food there but were told they had to take outdated beer, too.

"They took it but found the closest dumpster they could, got rid of the beer and brought the food back to the food bank," she said, to laughter. "I think those two had quite a few exciting trips."

After looking back, architect Jesse Bernard of Parkhill gave details about the project.

The $4 million fundraising effort for Food Bank of West Central Texas includes an exterior facelift that make the nonprofit's name more visible and less of a warehouse look.
The $4 million fundraising effort for Food Bank of West Central Texas includes an exterior facelift that make the nonprofit's name more visible and less of a warehouse look.

He said his firm is carrying out the vision that current director Ronnie Kidd, Dembach and others at the food bank presented to them to "expand the operation and functionality of this operation to add more point-of-contact with individuals."

Bernard said the effort at their end began with the late Bill Noonan, who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

"He had more to do with this than anyone else," Bernard said.

The drive-through plan allows those coming to the food bank to stay in vehicles, see what they want to get and have it loaded.

"This is becoming a more open facility," he said. "There will be more interaction with a greater number of individuals."

The area will be enclosed against the weather and connected to the existing facility so that forklifts can go back and forth.

The extension will include office space and a conference room.

The March 17 gathering actually was inside the warehouse. A true meeting room would provide a place for similar events and education classes, Bernard said.

"I was talking to Ronnie and said, 'It's funny, you're putting a face on hunger but your building doesn't have a face," Bernard said of redesigning the exterior. "As architects, we get to come and put a face on your building."

The public, he said, will not see the food bank as a "closed warehouse where only certain individuals are going" but as "an open and welcoming place where people of all levels can come and engage, whether they are receiving or serving."

The expansion is not being tacked on, he said, but incorporated into what will be a complete look for the facility.

"We've enjoyed working with Ronnie and Patrick. They've had so much much fun, and it's been enriching to us as well," Bernard said.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Food bank's $4M expansion to extend hours, service to community