Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to relocate to Chicopee

Date: 6/1/2021

CHICOPEE –   The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is moving to Chicopee. On May 27, they hosted an event to showcase plans for their future home located on the corner of Carew Street and East Main Street.

Attending officials included Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Andrew Morehouse, Mayor John Vieau, Rep. Joseph Wagner, Rep. Orlando Ramos, Chief of Staff to Sen. Eric Lesser’s Office Joel McAuliffe and Charles D’Amour, President of Big Y.

In December of 2020, The Food Bank purchased the undeveloped land from the Westmass Area Development Corporation. The new location will be a larger and more environmentally greener distribution center and headquarters.

According to Morehouse, they hope to begin construction in spring of 2022. They are aiming to open the new location in 2023.

“This location is strategically important to us because it’s right off 291 with incredible access to major highways and, of course, it’s also located right in Hampden County with the highest concentration of people who face food insecurity and hunger,” said Morehouse.

In the last year, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts provided 29 percent more food to 17 percent more people across the region. This was due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Morehouse.

During the event, Morehouse thanked Vieau for the city’s support and said he looked forward to their future together.

“We’re really grateful to be here in this city and so looking forward to partnering with you in the years ahead,” he said.

In a press release, Vieau spoke of the city’s excitement for this new move.

“Chicopee is excited about this move because we view the Food Bank’s relocation as an opportunity to be a regional leader in addressing food insecurity,” he said.

Those interested in learning more about the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, their services or their new location are encouraged to visit their website at https://www.foodbankwma.org/.