Caldwell Co. food bank forced out of building

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — One of the largest food banks in Caldwell County is being forced to leave the building it's in.

Volunteers at Storehouse Daily Bread are scrambling to find another place so it can keep helping thousands of needy families.

The owner told Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty he was blindsided by the eviction.

"The buggies are prepared as the folks come through," said Crossroads Community Church Pastor Rick Bowman.

Bowman shows Channel 9 the shopping carts of food and household supplies.  

Nearby freezers line a wall that is filled with meat and other items ready to help families from across Caldwell County.   

But in less than a week Bowman must find a new building after getting an eviction notice.   

"It's like someone hit you in the belly and knocked the wind out of you. It is tough, but you know what we are going to trust, go and do what we can for the Lord," said Bowman.

Bowman said he got the 28,000-square-foot building that houses the nonprofit and his church four years ago as a gift from a retired businessman.

It wasn't until earlier this year he learned the bank was foreclosing on the previous owner.   

Volunteer Bradley Soots has volunteered here for years and is concerned for the single mothers and elderly people who show up here every week for help.
 
"One thing they can pray, because this is the work of the Lord," said Soots.

Channel 9 contacted the bank by phone Thursday afternoon and they said they allowed the food bank to stay in the building rent free for 19 months during the foreclosure and have no information the previous owner gifted the building to the nonprofit.    

Bowman is relying on his faith in hopes of finding another location to help the needy.

"It is going to be OK. It is going to be OK. Our God is big and he can take care of his people," Bowman said.

The bank also said they have sold the building and suggested that the food bank work with the new owners to see if they can stay.

WSOC