A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, June 16th, for the University District Food Bank’s new building at 5019 Roosevelt Way NE. Located on a former car lot, the new-building site is adjacent to the University Branch Library.
The three-year, $3.6 million capital campaign for the new building is designed to greatly expand distribution and storage capacity and enhance the ability to provide nutritious meals to families in need.
The new facility will be called University Commons. By partnering with other organizations, the new building will offer superior access to vital community resources and training that will help food bank customers lift themselves out of poverty.
University Commons is a collaborative development to provide low-cost housing, life and job skills training spaces, and a permanent home for a newly envisioned University District Food Bank.
The Low Income Housing Institute, with their long history of developing housing for low-income and at-risk populations, will oversee the construction process, then own and manage 45 units of youth-focused housing above the food bank. Combining the food bank with housing maximizes the potential of the available space, while simultaneously meeting multiple community needs.
YouthCare will recruit and support residents and partner with the food bank for job and life skills training programs. A café space will allow YouthCare to expand their successful barista training program as well as provide a safe and casual area for customers to enjoy.
The new University District Food Bank at 5019 Roosevelt Way NE