The Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief in Lowell, Arkansas, marks a transformative step in addressing food insecurity in the region. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank’s new 82,425-square-foot facility features a 36,000-square-foot, two-story office and community center alongside a 46,000-square-foot warehouse with advanced cold storage and dry goods areas.
This state-of-the-art facility quadrupled the organization’s operational space, enabling expanded programs and services, such as nutrition outreach, community education, and a mobile pantry program. Key features include specialized warehouse facilities for shipping, receiving, and loading; a 25,000-square-foot freezer with high-speed roll-up doors; and innovative flooring systems designed to maintain product quality and safety.
To meet the Food Bank’s need for a reliable and efficient facility, an early focus was placed on optimizing the site’s resilience to weather impacts. A drainage pond was constructed at the outset to ensure effective water management during construction and long-term site stability. This approach not only preserved the project timeline but also provided a sustainable solution to manage water flow for the facility’s future operations.
The use of tilt wall construction for the warehouse provided a durable and cost-effective structure tailored to the Food Bank’s needs. Meticulous preplanning ensured that all openings for doors, windows, and utilities were precisely placed, enabling the facility to integrate advanced storage systems and maintain temperature control throughout the warehouse.
The office and community center were designed to support the Food Bank’s mission of outreach and education. These spaces facilitate events, nutrition programs, and administrative functions, all of which are integral to engaging the community and enhancing the organization’s impact.
The new Claude and Betty Harris Center for Hunger Relief positions the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank to better serve its network of over 110 agency partners across Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. By prioritizing innovative solutions to meet the Food Bank’s needs, this facility enhances operations, expands community programs, and reinforces the organization’s mission to fight hunger across the region.
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