TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)-- America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend faces financial troubles after a rodent infestation prompts an unexpected move. The City of Tallahassee Commission met Wednesday to discuss appropriating extra funds for the organization.
The food bank is the primary bank for the Capital City distributing more than 6 million pounds of food in the area in 2014. However, in April 2015, the organization was forced to relocate due to rat problems. Since then Second Harvest has been asking Leon County and the City of Tallahassee for help.
The interim CEO explains how the City of Tallahassee has helped so far. "As the community know we ran into some difficulties with the previous facility that made it imperative for us to move. Although it was a challenge to get into a new place we managed it in a few weeks and with the city's help we've managed to get the place in order so that we can continue business as usual," said Jim Croteau.
The City of Tallahassee Commission unanimously approved a $50,000 loan for the Second Harvest of the Big Bend. The money will cover the organization's relocation costs to an old warehouse, that has been unoccupied for 7 years.
The interim CEO tells WTXL how the extra funds will be used. "We've had things like refrigeration costs, redoing the freezer, sterilize the whole place in terms of pressure washing and cleaning, a lot of electrical work to bring it up to code, safety, plumbing issues, the kind of things you would expect with an older building that's been vacant a long time," said Croteau.
The loan calls for a 0% interest rate over a 15-year-term allowing payments to be deferred for the first 5 years.
The county commission approved a $50,000 grant to match the city's loan.
