Sod turned on 'million meal' facility

There was a special sparkle in Foodbank Geraldton’s manager Pat Hodges’ eye yesterday.

The much-loved manager who has been the organisation’s manager since its inception in July 2003, was overwhelmed with joy for the sod-turning of the new Foodbank site in Webberton yesterday.

Construction is set to start midyear, with the purpose-built facility scheduled to be completed later next year.

Ms Hodges said the organisation will now provide up to one million meals a year at the new site.

She thanked Royalties for Regions, Lotterywest, the City of Greater Geraldton and Foodbank who are contributing to the new $3 million premise.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Ms Hodges said.

“We’ll be able to expand further out to help those less fortunate with food insecurity in our outer regions.

"We’re going to have extra parking for our customers which is just fantastic, parking has been one of our biggest issues.”

Agricultural MP Paul Brown, who also represented the Minister for Regional Development, said it was a great day for Foodbank and Geraldton.

“Having a facility like this being able to provide what Foodbank predict will be up to million meals a year is an outstanding achievement,” he said.

“Charity goes beyond political borders.

“I think we all recognise the value of having charities like Foodbank, and the job they do for those less fortunate.”

It was acknowledge the land was donated to Foodbank by the City for “peppercorn” rent.

Mayor Ian Carpenter was thrilled the City was able to play a role in the charity’s new premise, and paid tribute to Ms Hodges for her hard work.

“Pat does a fabulous job and we’re very lucky to have someone who is conscientious about what she does,” he said.

“Foodbank does a fantastic job for people in our community.

“While the flooding of Greenough River was on recently, Foodbank Geraldton was able to send food which was taken by road to Newman and helicopter to Pia Wadjari so those good people didn’t starve, that’s a great outcome.”