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Imperial County's rate of food insecurity is one of the worst in the nation. An estimated 24% for all local residents regularly face food insecurity. And 33% of Imperial County children live in homes without a reliable source of affordable, nutritious food.
Imperial Valley Food Bank distributes food assistance to 20,000 individuals to limit their exposure to hunger. They are the USDA EFAP (commodities) provider for the county and, in partnership with the County of Imperial, the emergency storehouse for food, water and vaccines in times of disaster. The Food Banks' current facility is outdated, inefficient, and does not comply with food and safety standards. A brand new state-of-the art facility is needed to meet the ever-increasing demand for food assistance; and a Capital Campaign is under way for its construction with a completion date of Spring 2018. The Food Bank also needs additional equipment/machinery, not covered by the Capital Campaign, to properly and efficiently store and distribute food in its new facility.
As the regional food distribution center for all donated product in Imperial County, IV Food Bank averages a two month supply with about 350 pallets of food stored at any one time. Each pallet must be shrink wrapped when received and that is currently performed by hand, often resulting in finger and hand cuts and bruises. With this project, El Centro Rotary will purchase a Semi-Automatic Shrink-Wrap Machine that will allow pallets to be wrapped quicker, more efficiently and without injury to food bank staff.
A reasonable model that meets their needs is the U-Line H-1020 (photo and information attached) which costs $5995. No tax is due as they have tax-exempt status on file with U-Line. Estimated shipping costs is about $600. Because shipping will be delayed until their new facility is completed, the actual shipping costs may increase due to additional time and handling fees. Total acquisition cost is estimated to be $6,595. Remaining funds of the $7,000 budget will first be applied towards additional shipping/handling costs, if any, and secondarily toward the purchase of shrink wrap rolls to be used by the machine at a cost of $67 per roll or $1824 per pallet of shrink wrap rolls.
This project is part of El Centro Rotary's ongoing support of the Imperial Valley Food Bank. Several of our members serve on its Board; and our club consistently provides financial support through various sponsorships and donations to the Food Bank; and its efforts to relieve local hunger. The club, in a past major project, purchased a refrigerated food distribution truck for the Food Bank. This current project is our latest endeavor to support Imperial Valley Food Bank.
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