DATE: Saturday, September 13, 1997          TAG: 9709130361

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   24 lines

FOODBANK PURCHASES BUILDING IN NORFOLK

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia has signed a $1.375 million contract to buy a building at 800 Tidewater Drive, in which the group plans to consolidate its operations.

The organization that gives away tons of food yearly plans to move in January, development director Linda Berger said Friday.

The foodbank has asked the city's Industrial Development Authority for $1.6 million in tax-exempt bonds to help pay for the building, Berger said. The group this month will launch a drive to raise funds for the move.

The foodbank was established in 1981 and provides donated and purchased food to churches and other agencies that feed the poor and homeless.

The organization has provided 65 million pounds of food in South Hampton Roads, Western Tidewater and the Eastern Shore since it was established.

In the new building, the group hopes to bring together its warehouse, its clothes bank and its food cooperative.

For details, call 624-1333.

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