NeighborImpact Warehouse Expansion

As the Central Oregon population rises, access to affordable housing continues to fall behind, leaving many people rent-burdened and with little-to-no money for food and other necessities. NeighborImpact operates the largest foodbank in Central Oregon to combat food scarcity, serving three counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs – about 60,000 people annually.

The new efficient facility will replace the existing warehouse and repacking center and include a community space and offices. Over the years, NeighborImpact’s food distribution has evolved to include more fresh produce and perishable foods, requiring more refrigerated storage space and larger repacking areas. The wide range of space needs within the building requires a thoughtful design to ensure efficient use of the building’s footprint, including high density racking, multi-use spaces, and community space. The site design presented challenges with the traffic circulation of warehouse operations, administration, and public volunteers which has been corrected with the new design and site layout.

Funded wholly by a capital campaign led by NeighborImpact, the project must stay within the allotted budget while still meeting the organization’s critical needs. The building design focuses on cost-conscious sustainable design features. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the community and administrative space and thoughtfully placed skylights throughout the warehouse supply ample natural light.