New Regional Food Bank Branch will provide greater access for more than 50 local food pantries, including FISH of Galesburg, which will eventually re-locate and operate out of the new branch located at the intersection of Main and Henderson Streets in Galesburg.
GALESBURG, Ill. (March 30, 2021)– Galesburg Community Foundation and River Bend Food Bank have established a formal partnership to bring a Regional Food Bank branch to Galesburg. The River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch, will provide greater access to more nutritious and perishable foods for more than 50 food pantries serving not only the Community Foundation’s service area of Knox and Warren Counties, but also Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, McDonough and Stark Counties. FISH of Galesburg will also re-locate to the space, allowing for all around greater guest access and allow FISH to increase their pantry offerings. Guests of FISH Food Pantry will continue to have their needs meet from FISH’s current location until construction on the new location is complete.
The River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch will be located at the corner of Main and Henderson Streets in Galesburg. The location is known to many as the former Rheinschmidt’s Carpet Center. Galesburg Community Foundation purchased the building in December of 2020, and River Bend Food Bank will be a 15-year tenant of the property, with the opportunity for multiple lease renewals after the initial 15 years. The location was selected after years of monitoring available real estate opportunities. This specific location was selected as it provides easier access for the service area to obtain fresh produce and frozen protein and will reduce the amount of time spent by area food pantries that currently must pick up food to distribute from River Bend’s Quad Cities location.
Joshua Gibb, president & CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation said, “We know that food insecurity is a major issue plaguing our region and COVID-19 certainly highlighted this. Drawing from our experiences over the past year, combined with years of information gathering and conversations, we are so pleased to see this opportunity come to life. Not only will this valuable partnership with River Bend Food Bank more effectively serve our community members, but it also brings additional great opportunities—such as a rejuvenated property, jobs, partnerships, collaboration and access. The Community Foundation is so proud to prompt this important partnership to become reality. It’s another incredible example of the power of philanthropy making a difference.”
In addition to The River Bend Food Bank, Galesburg Branch being located in the building, FISH of Galesburg will also re-locate to the space, allowing for all around greater guest access and allow FISH to increase their pantry offerings. While FISH’s move will not occur for quite a few months due to the extensive remodeling the building will undergo, it is a further demonstration of the projects overall commitment to battling food insecurity and providing greater access.
Diane Copeland, president of FISH of Galesburg said, “We cannot be more excited about the opportunity to relocate to a more accessible location. We have had a need for greater pantry space for years and we will finally get that. Our goal is to provide the most nutritious and accessible food that we can and relocating to this new location will make that possible. This is a huge step for the future of FISH and ultimately the guests we serve.”
Galesburg Community Foundation and River Bend Food Bank are in initial stages of remodeling the former Rheinschmidt’s Carpet Center building and additional, necessary project plans.
Mike Miller, president and CEO of River Bend Food Bank said, “After years of many people dreaming about this project, River Bend Food Bank is excited to be opening a Galesburg Branch. Of our current partner agencies, 50 are located closer to Galesburg than to Davenport, many considerably so. The hope is that this initiative will make it easier for us to work together, putting an end to hunger not only in Knox, but Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Stark, and Warren Counties. The convenience of this new location might encourage others to partner with us. We are also excited to welcome the FISH Food Pantry as a partner in this project, given their long history of fighting hunger in the community. We are so thankful to the many people from the community who developed this vision and to the Galesburg Community Foundation for helping make this possible.”
About Galesburg Community Foundation
Galesburg Community Foundation develops and supports the efforts of local people and organizations to promote healthy communities. The Community Foundation makes giving easy and believes that generosity can positively change Knox and Warren Counties forever. The Community Foundation partners with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to help them have the greatest impact with their giving. The Community Foundation is working for the good of your community. Learn more at www.YourGCF.org.
About River Bend Food Bank
No one should go hungry. River Bend Food Bank works with 300+ partner agencies in 23 counties to make sure people facing hunger have reliable access to healthy food. Leading the community-wide effort to eliminate hunger in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Food Bank distributes over 20 million meals each year to hungry people through food pantries, schools, senior residences, and community organizations. River Bend Food Bank will feed people today and end hunger tomorrow. Learn more at https://riverbendFood Bank.org.
About FISH of Galesburg
FISH of Galesburg is an emergency food pantry which has helped feed the hungry of Knox County since 1970. The mission of FISH is to provide food for those in need. Food items distributed include non-perishable and frozen foods as well as vouchers for milk and eggs to individuals and families who contact the pantry for assistance. FISH seeks to provide enough food to support an individual or family for a three-to-five-day period of time. Persons contacting the pantry may receive food assistance once every thirty (30) days. Each year, 14,000-15,000 individuals receive food from FISH of Galesburg. Learn more at https://fishofgalesburg.org.
