A new 270,000-square-foot home for the Food Bank of the Rockies is being built to help meet the needs of the 800 hunger relief partners of the organization.

The $75 million project, funded by donors, still needs to raise more than $11 million. “We are 85 percent of the way there. Now we are turning to the community for your support to help us across the finish line. This is incredibly important,” said Erin Pulling, CEO and president of the organization.

She said inflation and rising food costs have both contributed to a 10-year high in the rates of food insecurity across Colorado and Wyoming.

“Given the challenges that we are facing right now, we know that need is growing. This facility allows Food Bank of the Rockies to step up to meet that need. It allows us to power volunteers, to strengthen our community partnerships, and to amplify our collective vision for people experiencing hunger,” Pulling added.

The building at 20600 E. 38th Ave. in Aurora is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The current home of the non-profit, near Havana & 45th Ave. in northeast Denver, is being sold. It was home to the Food Bank of the Rockies for 19 years.

Volunteers are essential to the work of the food bank with about 24,000 volunteers working every year. The future volunteer center has a large room with two additional side rooms for repacking. Pulling said the additional space means there can be triple the number of people sorting donated food and repacking dry beans and rice and other items.

The facility also has new docks for loading and unloading food, and more cooking space to provide meals for kids.

Pulling said consolidating operations and investing in sustainability will save the organization $500,000 per year.