The Central California Food Bank on Tuesday broke ground on a project five years in the making. It will not only provide dedicated space for volunteer work but also allow the nonprofit to accept bulk protein donations.

Natalie Caples, co-CEO of the food bank, expects the 22,000 square-foot Santé Volunteer Center and accompanying George & Melodie Rogers Foundation Protein Repack Room to be ready next October.

The extra space means volunteers can pack the food boxes for the bank’s various programs away from the warehouse at 4010 E. Amendola Dr. Additionally, having a protein repack room — the only food bank west of Texas with one — means the charity can accept bulk animal meat and sort it, greatly expanding the amount of protein given to hungry families, Caples said.

“Volunteers are the l

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