As Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services is celebrating putting the finishing touches on its renovated facility, the non-profit agency is feeling the pinch of a sluggish economy.

Volunteers and other community members celebrated the grand opening of the facility, which doubled in size when initial construction was complete 2 years ago, on Friday with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

“We just finished the last phase, which was landscaping,” executive director Lila Henderson said. “We had all these milestones to get done before we invited the public to come through. I really wanted to give it a platform so that we could explain to people that we’re more than just a food bank.”

The agency’s coverage area includes Black Diamond, Covington, Hobart, Maple Valley, Ravensdale and everywhere else within the boundaries of the Tahoma School District. The organization offers emergency assistance for folks have trouble paying rent or utility bills, among other services, in addition to providing food twice a week at its location just north of Southeast 216th Street off Maple Valley Highway.

There has been a noticeable uptick in demand for services and food recently, so it’s all the more important to let people know what is offered and how the community can help, Henderson said.

“We’re getting it from all ends,” she said. “Our costs have gone up. Donations are down. We haven’t seen a huge increase in clients, but we are seeing an increase.”

During the last fiscal year (from July to June), the food bank had about 170 clients a week. Now the number is 200 a week.

Officials said costs to purchase and go pick up food has gone up by more than $13,000 this year year, while emergency assistance costs have gone up $6,000 over the previous year.

“Daily, we are turning people away due to lack of funds,” Henderson said.

In the past, Henderson explained, those in need might get turned down for emergency financial assistance because they didn’t meet the criteria. Now, the food bank turns people away because there just isn’t enough money available to help even those qualified for assistance.

“People are having to make that hard choice. Do they pay rent, pay the power bill or buy gas?” Henderson said. “And even though we’re a blessed food bank, still, we’ve seen a decline in donations.”

Those who can help are encouraged to visit the MVFB Web site at www.skcfc.org/maplevalleyfoodbank and “see the types of food we want to purchase,” Henderson said. “We want to get good, nutritional food in here.”

Another way to help is to give financial donations.

“If they give me a monetary donation, (the food bank’s) purchasing power is four times greater,” Henderson said.

Staff writer Kris Hill can be reached at (425) 432-1209 (extension 5054) and khill@reporternewspapers.com