Second Helpings’ new flexible-use space provides a variety of expanded opportunities, from meal preparation, food distribution, and more, after renovating the small warehouse.

This winter, Second Helpings officially opened a new flexible-use space after renovating the small warehouse.

“The new flex space has been a huge help to Hunger Relief already and we’re still finding new ways to use the space and outfitting it with equipment that we discover we need,” says Hunger Relief Manager Caitlin Bartnik. “The possibilities are quite exciting!”

This 1,200 square foot room is now used for meal preparation, food distribution, special events, and more. Additionally, this space can be used to host partner agencies and distribute donated food that Second Helpings receives to food pantries and other social service agencies.

The new space provides more room for volunteer groups to chop produce, prepare sandwiches, and package individual and family sized meals for our partner agencies and home delivery.

This project was funded in part by Glick Philanthropies, Thurston Foundation, and David Weekley Homes.

“The biggest benefit the flex space has provided is an extra hour of production time each day,” explains Bartnik. “It took about half an hour to transform our dining room from a production space into a dining room for lunch, and then back to a production space again. A lot can be accomplished at 5 worktables in an hour!”

You can be part of our Hunger Relief program, where we prepare more than 4,000 meals every day. Sign up yourself or a group to volunteer!

Currently volunteers and staff prepare about 1,100 sandwiches every day in the flex space.

This new flex space also allows Second Helpings to prevent waste and lower supply costs. “Our dining room tables are not food grade prep surfaces, so we had to cover them in plastic wrap to create clean workspaces every time we used them,” Bartnik said. Now, volunteers can skip that step, and all the plastic, before beginning their food preparation.

“Our days are never the same in Hunger Relief so the ability to use the space for whatever is most needed that volunteer shift is crucial to making more meals.”