PORT ANGELES – The Port Angeles Food Bank is moving.

The Food Bank plans to be in a new location east of Port Angeles by early next month.

The Food Bank acquired a lease of much larger space at 632 North Oakridge Drive.

Executive Director Emily Dexter says the new space will allow them to meet many of the challenges created by COVID-19, as well creating new opportunities for future expanded services.

“We have leased a new building and no, it’s not new. It’s old. It needs a lot of work and a lot of love and attention, but it has a giant covered area and it’s out of the way and it will be a great place to operate some of the the outdoor distribution and be a wonderful place for a grocery store once we can open the doors again around this spring.”

In March, the Food Bank switched from a grocery store model to an outdoor, drive-through distribution in response to Covid-19 restrictions. This worked well during the warmer months but will have clients and volunteers outside in the harsh weather on the way.

The new location will also provide more storage for fresh food which has been inadequate at the current location on Valley Street near downtown Port Angeles.

The newly leased building near the Port Angeles Walmart was formerly a beer distribution warehouse.