The State College Food Bank will celebrate the first anniversary of its new, expanded location with an open house and the unveiling of an artist-created donor wall.
The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at the food bank, 169 Gerald Street.
Highlighting the celebration will be the unveiling of the donor wall, designed by local artist Aimee Parmelee of Ginger Muse Art to commemorate those those who made the expansion possible through their contributions to the $3 million “Fighting Hunger. Feeding Community. Building Hope” capital campaign.
“Creating this piece was incredibly meaningful,” Parmelee said in a statement. “Being a longtime supporter of the Food Bank and the way it brings our community together to ensure food is accessible for all. I was honored when I was asked to create a visual reflection that honors their values. Which I experienced as dignity and human-kindness for all.”
The installation was made possible through a collaboration with The Rivet at Discovery Space, which donated time and access to its laser cutter to help complete the project.
“At Discovery Space, we’re proud to support community partners like the State College Food Bank,” Michele Crowl, executive director of Discovery Space, said in a statement. “Through The Rivet, we were excited to contribute to this beautiful and important project. Collaborations like this show how connected and supportive our local nonprofits can be.”
Having long outgrown its location of 10 years on South Atherton Street, the food bank acquired, renovated and expanded the Gerald Street building and moved into the 18,000-square-foot facility last spring.
The new location doubled the food bank’s space. All its operations were consolidated in the new location, eliminating the need for off-site storage, providing room for expanded storage, cooler and freezer space and helping to better assist partner organizations from throughout Centre County.
Allayn Beck, executive director of the food bank, said she is excited to celebrate one year in the new space and the donors who made it possible.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this important anniversary and to honor the donors whose generosity helped make our new building a reality—and mortgage-free,” Beck said in a statement. “This wall is a permanent expression of our gratitude and a symbol of the community’s commitment to addressing hunger with dignity and hope.”
