FAQs

Why did The Greater Boston Food Bank need additional space?
How much food can the Yawkey Distribution Center distribute to hungry people?
What is the address of The Food Bank's current facility?
How much did it cost to build the Yawkey Distribution Center?
Is the Yawkey Distribution Center a "green" building?

How is The Food Bank paying for its distribution center ?

You are already in the building . Why should I give now?
Who was the architect for the Yawkey Distribution Center?
When did The Food Bank move into its distribution center?
How can I help The Food Bank reach its goal?

Why did The Greater Boston Food Bank need additional space?

The Greater Boston Food Bank simply outgrew its old facility. In the past twelve years, we’ve increased
our distribution from 9.7 million pounds a year to more than 31 million.  Unfortunately, we are still not close to meeting the need for emergency food assistance in our community. 

IThe 2010 “Hunger in Eastern Massachusetts” study showed the numbers are getting worse, not better.

• In Massachusetts, the unemployment rate is more than 9%.

• One in 13 people in eastern Massachusetts use a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter.
• More than 394,000 people sought help from a hunger-relief agency in eastern Massachusetts.

Hunger is solvable. There is more than enough food available, and The Food Bank is the critical link between those who have food to give and those who need it most. 

How much food can the Yawkey Distribution Center distribute to hungry people?

Our new 117,000-square-foot building will allow us to significantly increase our distribution to eventually

accommodate a total of 50 million pounds of food and grocery products - a 67% increase over our previous facility.  In addition, we gained more freezer and cooler space, refrigerated docks, and refrigerated shopping areas for our member hunger-relief agencies. This will enables us  – in the first year alone – to increase by 15% the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutrient-rich perishable foods we distribute.

What is the address of The Food Bank's current facility ?

The Greater Boston Food Bank is located at 70 South Bay Avenue, just across the street from its previous facility at 99 Atkinson Street in the Newmarket area of Boston.

How much did it cost to build the Yawkey Distribution Center?

Our Board of Directors authorized a budget of approximately $35 million for the project, which has been met.

Is the Yawkey Distribution Center a “green” building?

Yes the building was constructed with “green” energy efficient technologies.

• A solar wall heats and cools part of the building without the use of electricity.
• A 200 ft light monitor directs sunlight into the warehouse to light the space.
• An ambient air system brings cool, outside air into the cooler, reducing compressor load.
• The mechanical lifts at the docks use compressed air rather than toxic hydraulic lift fluid.
• The facility was constructed on what was once a municipal incinerator site. Brownfield remediation provided opportunity to build.

How is The Food Bank paying for its distribution center?

Our capital campaign, Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope: The Campaign for a New Food Bank has raised more than $32 million for our distribution center through the support of the community. We still have time to meet our fundraising goal for the project of $35 million.

You are already in the building. Why should I give now?

By finishing the campaign, The Food Bank can save money and direct, what would have been the cost of financing, toward providing more food to those in need.

Who was the architect for the Yawkey Distribution Center?

Chan, Krieger, Sieniewicz of Cambridge, MA which received the 2007 American Institute of Architecture Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design.

When did The Food Bank move into its distribution center?

We broke ground on the new building in the fall of 2007 and we moved in late April 2009. 

How can I help The Food Bank reach its goals?

Make a donation to Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope: The Campaign for a New Food Bank today!


Thank you for your support!