Getting around the stacks of milk crates in the cramped storage room of the Newmarket Food Pantry is a daily challenge for volunteers.
The lack of space has been an ongoing problem that is limiting how much food can be handed out to more than 1,000 customers every month.
"Trying to maneuver everyone around here and explaining what they can and can't have it can really get congested in here," says volunteer Susan Little. "There is not enough room for us to store the food that we do have donated to us. We always have to rent a storage unit during large food drives."
That is about to change, as the Food Pantry prepares to move to a bigger location next week on Gorham Street.
The new spot boasts more than 4,000 square feet and is double the size of the current food bank. Not only will it help with storage, the Pantry will also allow more fresh produce to be brought in.
The Food Pantry plans to make this location more than just a food bank. The goal is to make it a hub for several support agencies.
"Unfortunately our clients have to travel between one place to another to get to all the different services."
More than 2,000 square feet of office space will be made available for support agencies to rent.
In the meantime preparations are being made for the big move, but most of this food will be handed out before the doors open next Tuesday.
