MILLS RIVER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — MANNA FoodBank has relocated to a facility in Mills River, a move accelerated by the devastation Tropical Storm Helene caused at its former location along the Swannanoa River.

The organization had been in the process of purchasing the Mills River property before the storm hit. When floodwaters damaged the old warehouse, MANNA quickly secured an emergency lease on the new space, which was already vacant, allowing operations to continue without interruption.

“We’re building the plane while we’re flying it,” Chief Operating Officer Liz Hipps said, describing the ongoing construction and upgrades at the new warehouse.

The former FedEx distribution center is being transformed to meet the food bank’s operational and safety needs. Plans include:

• A volunteer center for managing 30 to 60 daily volunteers who sort, inspect and pack food.
• Temperature-controlled storage, including a new 16,000-square-foot freezer-cooler and produce cooler, replacing the food bank’s previous facilities lost to flooding.
• Internal offices and meeting spaces, including a large break room and a community room available for nonprofit use.
• Enhanced food safety measures, including a containment area for incoming donated food to prevent contamination.

Chief Development Officer Joe Beckler highlighted the organization’s logistical system, which allows agencies across MANNA’s 16-county service area to order culturally appropriate food items through an online platform, similar to an Amazon-style shopping experience. Drivers then deliver food to pantries, schools and community partners.

The new warehouse will also accommodate large-scale distribution efforts. On a recent day, MANNA distributed 97,000 pounds of food, including perishables, turkeys and dry goods, through five delivery trucks and multiple agency pickups.

The expansion comes amid rising demand, with the food bank serving roughly 195,000 visits per month, up from about 65,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re seeing increased need because of economic pressures and the potential impacts of government shutdowns on SNAP and Medicaid,” Hipps said.

Construction at the Mills River site is expected to continue into early 2026, with office staff temporarily working remotely and operations gradually shifting to the upgraded areas of the building. MANNA officials emphasized that the new facility will allow the organization to scale up food distribution, improve volunteer operations and better serve vulnerable populations across Western North Carolina.

“Our mission is to ensure no neighbor goes hungry,” Hipps said. “This new space gives us the capacity to do that more safely and efficiently than ever before.”

Click here to learn more about MANNA FoodBank.