MILLS RIVER, N.C. (828newsNOW) — MANNA FoodBank on Friday celebrated the opening of a new freezer and cooler facility in Mills River, a major step in rebuilding its operations after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed critical infrastructure in 2024.
The 16,500-square-foot addition increases the organization’s cold storage capacity by 233 percent, allowing it to store and distribute significantly more perishable food, including fresh produce, dairy and frozen proteins.
“This is so much more than just additional storage space,” CEO Claire Neal said. “It strengthens our ability to ensure that families across Western North Carolina have access to fresh, nutritious food when they need it most.”
The nonprofit has faced mounting demand in the region, with neighbors making more than 200,000 visits each month for emergency food assistance through its network of partner agencies.
After Helene damaged its previous facility, MANNA operated for nearly 500 days using refrigerated trucks to store and transport perishable items — a workaround Neal described as labor-intensive and inefficient.
Staff often had to unload and reload trucks to access food, she said, while also managing the logistics of moving vehicles in and out of secured areas.
The new centralized facility is expected to streamline operations and improve access to food, with organized storage and easier distribution.
When floodwaters hit the organization’s former warehouse, Neal said the destruction was immediate and severe, with freezer doors torn off and food supplies ruined by mud and debris.
Despite the setback, MANNA resumed operations within 48 hours, relying on community support, volunteers and partners.
“This is a symbol of rebirth,” Neal said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It shows that no matter what happens, we’re not alone. People care, and they show up.”
The project was funded through a combined $6.385 million from several organizations, including the North Carolina Community Foundation, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Publix Super Markets Charities and private donors.
To mark the opening, Food Lion Feeds donated more than 11,000 pounds of food to help stock the cooler facility. The donation includes produce and dairy items such as milk, fruit and vegetables.
MANNA officials said the expanded capacity is designed not only to meet current demand but to serve the region for decades to come.
The organization will launch a “Fill the Freezer” campaign on April 1, encouraging community members to contribute funds to help keep the facility stocked.
“Opening this freezer and cooler is an incredible milestone,” Neal said. “But the real impact comes from what fills it — fresh food that reaches families across Western North Carolina.”