History

In 1983, a group of concerned and compassionate people recognized the need for a food bank — a distribution center that would accumulate, store and distribute food and household items for charities that would make the final distribution to needy people in the community.

A distribution center was needed because the charities did not have enough space to store large quantities. When the food bank opened its doors in April 1984 — with 4,000 square feet in a converted church and abandoned fire station — it had 37 donors, 8 member agencies, and 2,300 pounds of food. In all, 139,000 pounds of food were distributed in 1984.

Today, MFN has grown to over 80,000 square feet in space, including a 62,000-square-foot main distribution center and office building, purchased in 1996. In 2003, a 20,000-square-foot building became available across the street from the main distribution center.

Today, more than 21.2 million pounds of food are distributed annually. More than 100 individual board members have served through the years. MFN’s Executive Directors have included Jessie Morris (1984-90), Barbara Barnes (interim, 1990-91), John Alford (1991-2005), Walker Satterwhite (2006-2014) and Charles H. Beady, Jr. (2014-present).