By Loretta Fulton

Expanding and sprucing up the Food Bank of West Central Texas had long been a dream of its board of directors and administrators.

But it wasn’t until the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 went into effect that the necessary funding became available. The American Rescue Plan was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress in March 2021 to help Americans get past the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Bank received a $2,134,000 grant from the plan, and devoted $1.4 million of it to an expansion project. Another $230,000 was spent on an emergency generator. The remainder went to a new truck and other items, with the aid of local foundations. The Food Bank had been waiting for an opportunity, and the grant provided it.

“That’s kind of what sparked it,” said Ronnie Kidd, who retired Aug. 31 as the Food Bank’s chief executive officer, a position he had held since April 2018. 

Click here to read a Q&A with Ronnie Kidd.

Replacing Kidd is Brandon Forrest, who has been with the Food Bank since 2023, previously serving as food sourcing manager. Kidd described his successor as having a “servant’s heart and a compassionate leadership style.”

Almost as soon as the expansion project got underway, construction workers discovered a major obstacle. A large gas line lay underneath the expansion area and had to be moved. That problem was solved, and the project has progressed steadily since then.

Ronnie Kidd, right, retired as CEO of the Food Bank of West Central Texas on Aug. 31. Brandon Forrest, left, is his replacement. Photos by Loretta Fulton

The current 30,000 square-foot building will gain an additional 6,000 square feet of space when the project is finished. The expanded area will contain three new offices at the front, plus a conference room that can be used for meetings with partner agencies, training, nutrition education classes, and other community events. 

“This is something the Food Bank has never had and will allow us to better collaborate with and serve our partner agencies,” Kidd said. 

The Food Bank’s total distribution in 2024 consisted of 31 percent fresh produce.

Kidd and Forrest are especially excited about a space dedicated to a new onsite drive-thru food pantry. The operation of the food pantry hasn’t been laid out yet, but plans are for it to be open when other local food pantries are closed. Another addition is new loading docks for trucks, complete with automated ramps. 

A new cooler was added earlier to store large donations of produce. Forrest noted that 31 percent of the Food Bank’s distribution in 2024 was fresh produce. 

Construction is progressing on the 6,000 square-foot addition to the Food Bank of West Central Texas. At right is a new truck and generator purchased with the same grant that funded the expansion.

of The expansion will create a new entrance for the Food Bank on the northeast side. A mural by local artist Stephanie Prosser will enhance the architectural beauty.

“We will have a new facade for our overall facility, providing light and brightness to our neighborhood,” Kidd said. “For forty years, people could drive right by and not know where we were… now we will serve as a neighborhood beacon for hope.”      

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene