JACKSON, Wyo. — Hole Food Rescue (HFR) has announced the purchase of a new facility to accommodate its growing operations.
The nonprofit, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, will move into a building south of town on Elk Ave. early next year. The new space includes a large warehouse for food storage, a prep kitchen and office space.
“We are rescuing 890% more food than we were 10 years ago, and our Food For the Community program experiences a 26% increase in participation on an annual basis,” HFR Executive Director Hannah Cooley said in the announcement. “With the help of our 200 volunteers, we are rescuing an average of 950 pounds of food every day from grocery stores, markets, bakeries and restaurants.”
To raise funds for the purchase, the organization has launched a $3 million pledge drive, with an anonymous donor offering to match $500,000 worth of donations through the end of the year.
Cooley notes that more and more local families need food assistance.
“In addition to the organization’s growth, Teton County’s developing need is unmistakable,” Cooley said. “Teton County School District #1 reports that more than 500 children are in need of food assistance…The new facility will provide us with the necessary space to store more food, increase our programs’ impact and ultimately ensure more children have access to healthy food.”
Cooley shared the news at Thursday night’s Million Pound Party, HFR’s annual fundraiser. The announcement was met with big cheers from the crowd, which was treated to a flash-mob of kids dressed as bananas, music by Strumbucket and dinner prepared by local chefs.
