Millbrook Receives Grant to Build New Food Pantry

The City of Millbrook has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to construct a food pantry facility that will become the new base of operations for the West Elmore Outreach Ministry Extension (WELCOME), an agency of the Montgomery Area Food Bank that provides weekly food distribution and counseling to the needy of west Elmore County.  The grant project cost is estimated at over $800,000 and includes a $300,000 match to be provided by the City of Millbrook, WELCOME, and other generous contributors.  The City will also donate property for the project on Grandview Road next to the Millbrook Senior Center, currently under construction. Once the new facility is built WELCOME will relocate from its current location on Main Street.

Mayor Al Kelley on receiving the news, “I am very appreciative of the support of Governor Ivey, ADECA’s Kenneth Boswell and staff and our local legislative delegation as we navigated the application process.  This is a tremendous boost to WELCOME’s ability to not only better respond to our area’s needy, but an opportunity to enhance and elevate their mission and great work.  We are looking forward to getting started.”

WELCOME’s President, Phil Harris, said, “We are extremely pleased that the grant was awarded and that WELCOME will be able to continue to serve those in need in west Elmore County for many years to come.  Over the years, Elmore County’s population has grown substantially, so it’s no surprise that the number of people in need has risen as well, particularly during the pandemic.  We have been blessed to have been able to operate in our current facility for almost three decades, but it is no longer adequate for our needs.  We deeply appreciate the way that Millbrook stepped in to help, not only their citizens but those throughout west Elmore County.”

The project was funded utilizing CDBG-CV Grant Program Funds, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, that focus on a community’s pandemic-related needs.  The Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (CARPDC) will manage the grant on behalf of the City.