MARYSVILLE — With a craving and longing in her heart to feed the hungry and assist the poor, Jo Ann Mulligan and the St. Mary’s Catholic Church began what is now the Marysville Community Food Bank.

Located at the Marysville YMCA for more than 10 years, the food bank is, ironically, after 34 years, finding its new home where it was envisioned.

Now entering the sheetrock phase, the new building, located behind the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, was originally expected to be finished by mid-November and is “at least three to four weeks ahead of schedule; we’re hoping to be finished the second week of October,” said Steve Van Rossen, construction project manager.

Although construction will conclude in October, the new facility will not open to the public until January. This will allow for the busy holiday season and time to set up and stock the new shelves.

The new building’s 2,200 extra square feet will permit clients to choose their items and “essentially be able to go shopping for their food,” said Joyce Zeigen, director. In addition it will have more storage. The current 3,400-square-foot building lacks frozen storage space, so Zeigen said she’s actually had to turn away a few frozen food contributions.

The YMCA needed the extra space for its growing community youth programs, which put the food bank in the market for a new place of residence.

Like the YMCA, St. Mary’s will be leasing the land the facility sits on for $1 a year.

Zeigen approximates the project costs at $920,000, which includes construction costs, architect fees, surveying, tax and other expenses. Over half the costs have been paid by C-TED and HUD grants, the Marysville Noon Rotary and the remaining, except $40,000, by donations.

A touching donation by a man who volunteered for more than 10 years at the food bank came as a staggering surprise. After his death in October of 2007, Ron Grant left the food bank $94,579.04 from his estate. Every time we would wonder where the rest of the money would come from “something like that has come up, it’s been wonderful,” said Zeigen.

If you would like to contribute to the remaining $40,000 building fund, it’s not too late to participate in the upcoming United Way “Days of Caring Challenge,” Saturday, Sept. 13. Cash and food donations will be accepted 5-6 p.m. Or you can go to www.marysvillecommunityfb.com for more information or to donate.