On March 14th, 2020, we spent our last day delivering our popular, innovative and lively Client Choice program, worried and unsure of what our future would be. Exactly two years later, on March 14th, 2022, clients were welcomed back into our Market once again to shop for their families.

We had to keep this a secret for basically an entire month, it was SO HARD not to tell you or anyone else! If we set a public date, would we be finished with everything in time? The to-do list was as long as the Nile: fix the walls, fix the floor, get the shelves, build the shelves, fill the shelves, clean the bins, build the pallet racks, design the warehouse flow, make signs, make lines, wire up reception, get new checkouts, REDESIGN THE ENTIRE PROGRAM...I won't go on, just know that I could for like, a really long time.

But little by little (and then lots by lots!!!) we chipped away at the list. In one last frenzied incredible weekend with volunteers and staff working feverishly towards a shared and ambitious goal - it happened. We finished the list.

The Market opened on a Monday. Clients who had scheduled their appointment for that day were astonished. First of all they were like "why am I parking in a spot?" Because our program had been drive-through and curbside pickup for literally two entire years. Cautiously, they entered a brand new, fully stocked market, were given a shopping cart, a laminated (super helpful) shopping menu, and a huge smile from our staff and volunteers.

One client who was expecting to simply drive up and encounter the old program was a little stunned. "Uhhhhhh, I have to call my wife!" he said. Lol.

I don't know who missed who more but what I do know is that I see a lot of smiles these days. A lot. We are really proud of what the staff, volunteers and Board were able to accomplish in getting this market reopened and we want to THANK YOU for coming along for this ride. You have contributed, you have spent your time helping, you have supported us and cheered us on - this accomplishment belongs to you too.

We finally got to hold a public ribbon cutting event late last month to celebrate this incredibly pivotal chapter in food bank history! And while it was awesome to share our shiny Market with local leaders and tell them about the hurdles we overcame to get here - nothing really is ever going to top that Monday morning seeing the joy on the faces of our neighbors who finally get to pick what they want to eat with their family for dinner that night. Doesn't even come close.