F.O.R. Maricopa food bank finds new location

After months of uncertainty, the F.O.R Maricopa Food Bank has secured land for its new location.

Construction of the future food bank building is estimated to be completed within six months to a year on property adjacent to the Maricopa Business Barn, according to F.O.R. Director Wendy Webb.

“We are designing as we speak. It will be a big metal building. Our goal is still to offer a drive-through,” Webb said.

This week the food bank purchased the red business barn, as well as property next to the building for $220,000 with help from an Ak-Chin grant and money the charity has been saving.

Webb did not say how much construction of the new building would cost, but did say the city government has offered to help the food bank in other ways.

“The City of Maricopa has been very strong in saying they want to help facilitate this in the best way they can,” Webb said. “Our very pre-preliminary meetings – all the way up to the mayor – have been to support getting us through the process because moving was not our idea.”

F.O.R. was forced from its original location on Garvey Avenue at John Wayne Parkway in May due to future construction of the nearby State Route 347 overpass.

Arizona Department of Transportation purchased the building from Pinal County earlier this year, but the portion of compensation the food bank will receive from it is still unknown.

“We’re waiting to see what ADOT will be able to come forward with; we are hoping that’s a fairly significant amount,” Webb said.

In May, the food bank moved to a temporary location, a 900-square-foot rented room, across the street from its original building.

“We’re happy that we’ve been able to at least get that far, but we’re hoping we can find another space that can be a little bigger until we move,” Webb said.

Throughout the transition, the food bank will still operate a drive-up service at 19756 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 108, on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Webb, who is also the new landlord for the business barn, said the building will stay open.