GRCFW is excited to share that we have achieved our initial infrastructure funding goals including both capital expense and three (3) years of projected operating expenses. The capital funding has allowed us to acquire the Clark Distribution site at 4th & Leitchfield and support the related capital expenditures to prepare it for our operations. We plan to generate revenue from year 4 onward to support future operating expenses. Any future funds donated to GRCFW will be used to acquire food.
Unfortunately, we will not have access to the site until Clark completes construction of their new local site and vacates the current site. This will not likely occur until Q1 2028.
Despite not having access to our new site, GRCFW is ready to begin soft operations whereby we intend to acquire and provide limited distribution of food to our “Community Partners”. As a key first step in the process, we acquired a large quantity of frozen bologna. Due to lack of temperature-controlled storage here in Owensboro, this product is being stored out of state. We are also in the process of acquiring dry donated food. We will continue to source and distribute frozen and dry donated food on a limited basis until we are able to access our permanent site. We will not be managing refrigerated products during the soft operational phase due to the lack of proper storage and the high velocity turnaround required for refrigerated products.
Community Partners of Green River Community Food Warehouse have agreed to share information on donated food distributed through their organization with GRCFW. Food pantries have agreed to share data on the pounds of food distributed each month. Meal programs or soup kitchens that are serving meals have agreed to share data on the number of people receiving those meals each month. In return for this information, GRCFW is willing to provide Community Partners with donated food we receive, free of charge.
There is no written contract to be a Community Partner. Community Partners can change status at any time by simply notifying GRCFW.
GRCFW intends to bring regular, once per month, shipments of mixed product from our remote storage location, back to Owensboro, including the frozen bologna and other dry goods. The product will arrive via a temperature-controlled truck and be brought to a yet to be determined central location in Owensboro. The intent would be to set up a single point of distribution whereby each of our Community Partners pick up their product by appointment arranged in advance. We hope to begin these soft operations in the next couple of months.
GRCFW has partnered with the Food Security Council to create a database for the donated food information. The Food Security Council will compile, maintain and share it with GRCFW, our Community Partners, and the community on a regular basis. This information will be used to determine the baseline of donated food, and the amount of donated food provided to our community over time.
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