Food Bank receives big boost

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, center, is joined by Madera County Supervisor Leticia Gonzalez as she presents Madera County Food Bank executive director Ryan McWherter with a check for $500,000 for the new facility currently under construction.

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The walls are up and the interior is progressing for the new Madera County Food Bank.

Food Bank Executive Director Ryan McWherter and the Food Bank received a huge shot in the arm Wednesday when California State Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria presented a check for $500,000 towards the new Food Bank facility.

“What a great day this is,” McWherter said during Thursday’s check pass at the new facility on Tozer Road. “Thirteen years ago, this was just a dream. All of this is becoming a quick reality. We are thankful to be receiving this grant of $500,000 towards our new facility. A year-and-a-half ago, we met with Esmeralda along with County and City officials. We had a big round table of Maderans. We were thinking of different ways they can support us. They found a way. We wrote up a proposal and Esmeralda went to work for us at the state level. Here we are with $500,000 to go to our new building. We’re very excited about that.”