Avail Project Management and Merrimack Valley Food Bank cut ribbon on new headquarters
Vanna Howard; state senator Ed Kennedy; Jimmy Good; Jeff Lavery, Pedigree Public Relations; city councilor Paul Ratha-Yem;
Danielle McFadden; Lisa Craig, Cummings Foundation; city manager Tom Golden; mayor of Lowell Dan Rourke;
congresswoman Lori Trahan, and city councilor John Leahy.
Lowell, MA Avail Project Management has completed a new headquarters project for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB). The warehouse and office facility will dramatically increase the size and capabilities of one of Middlesex County’s most impactful non-profit institutions that provides nutritious food and personal care items to emergency feeding programs serving the low-income, homeless and hungry. Representative Lori Trahan joined the ribbon-cutting event held at MVFB’s new home, located at 1703 Middlesex St.
As the need for nutritional assistance continues to increase, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank has seen unprecedented demand for its services. MVFB is distributing more food than ever before in its 32-year history, with nearly five million pounds of food distributed annually (two million more pounds than were distributed pre-pandemic), serving an average of 70,000 persons of all ages each month. 
Avail Project Management, a leading independent project management firm headquartered in Lowell, oversaw the conversion of an existing facility into the new,cutting-edge home for MVFB. The new space effectively doubles the footprint of the existing building and will support both an increase in programming and its full-time staff headcount. Additional improvements include a dedicated entrance for visitors and volunteers, a dynamic kitchen area that will allow MVFB to host its popular summer lunch program on-site, and ample space for trucks to make deliveries safely without impacting member agency pickups.
“We are thrilled to cut the ribbon on a new home for the MVFB,” said Debbie Callery, executive director, MVFB. “Today represents the culmination of many years of effort behind the scenes to raise funds and work with our project partners to envision a facility that will serve the community and other food distribution agencies. We are grateful to local leaders like rep. Trahan for her support, as well as our construction partner, Avail Project Management, for making today possible.”
The new building also features a 24-seat conference room that serves as a resource for community partners and staff, as well as 5,000 s/f of refrigeration and freezer space that will increase MVFB’s storage capacity for meat, dairy, and produce.
“This ribbon-cutting marks a proud moment not only for our firm, but also for the community at large, as Lowell is now home to a food bank that will serve the needs of individuals and families for generations to come,” said Michael Bogdan, president and CEO, Avail Project Management. “When the MVFB told us of their plans, we were thrilled for the opportunity to help a beloved institution convert an existing building into a new headquarters and we’re sure they will do great things in their new space.”