The Meridian Food Bank marked a major milestone this week as it celebrated the completion of an expansion designed to double its work space and increase its capacity to serve students in need across the West Ada School District. WATCH | Meridian Foodbank celebrates expansion Expanded Meridian Food Bank aims to keep up with rising need among West Ada studentsCommunity members and leaders gathered Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the volunteer-run food bank, which broke ground on the project in August. The expansion adds critical space for preparing weekend food bags for students who rely on the food banks backpack program.If we couldnt build this [then] wed have to start telling the school district that youre cut off at this level, and we dont want to do that, said Kent Christensen, the Meridian Food Banks executive director and treasurer, in August.PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Meridian Food Bank building expansion to feed growing number of hungry studentsThe food bank says its backpack program supported about 800 students each school week in 2025. The program provides students with food to take home on weekends when school meals are not available.Volunteers assemble the bags with a variety of shelf-stable items intended to help students get through the weekend.So this is whats in a regular bag, right here. Theyll have two breakfasts, lunches, and fruit, and shelf-stable milk, said volunteer Elaine Carlson.Carlson has volunteered with the Backpack Program every week for the past four years and says she has seen the demand for food assistance grow significantly.Despite the increased need, Carlson says the work remains rewarding and keeps her coming back alongside dozens of other volunteers.RELATED | Its really hard," Families turn to local food pantries as SNAP benefits pause loomsI like coming and knowing that I am helping kids. Its just nice to be able to give back, she said.In addition to an expanded work space, the project provides much-needed storage capacity for food donations. Meridian Mayor Robert Simison said Tuesday that while the growing demand for food assistance is a difficult reality, he supports the food banks mission and praised its commitment to making sure neighbors do not go hungry.Volunteers say the most effective way community members can help right now is by donating food items specifically for the weekend snack bags.Learn more about the Meridian Food Bank and ways to donate. ...read more read less