Master Provisions, a Florence-based nonprofit specializing in surplus food and clothing distribution, has officially broken ground on its new distribution facility in Independence.
Officials from the nonprofit said the organization outgrew the Borland Family Distribution Center — a 17,500-square-foot base facility that’s served as its base of operations since 2011. The center, located at 7725 Foundation Drive in Florence, was donated to the nonprofit by the Clifford R. Borland Sr. family.
“That’s why we gather here at our new home to celebrate this milestone for Master Provisions,” said Travis Nipper, development manager at Master Provisions.
Joining Master Provisions’ officials and staff at the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday were Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann, Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore, Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Brent Cooper.
The new 30,000-square-foot warehouse, located at 10205 Toebben Dr., will expand Master Provisions’ operation, allowing for increased vertical racking capacity and more refrigeration and storage space. Master Provisions raised $5.2 million from 172 various donors to build the facility, according to President Shane Armstrong.
Armstrong, who was elevated to the role in 2023, said that in the country, approximately 44 million people, including 13 million children, didn’t know where their next meal was coming from.
“We’re only seeing that need, and that number continues to go up,” Armstrong said. “Our goal is to do everything we can to see that number go down, but it takes a lot of work and a lot of diligence to try to see that number go down across the country.”
For Master Provisions founder Roger Babik, the new building is a culmination of years of work in the nonprofit sector. Babbitt, a devout Christian, exited corporate America in the 90s, anxious for a fulfilling opportunity.
In 1994, he founded Master Provisions with a goal to help impoverished people internationally by providing them with access to food and clothing. Master Provisions started by sending supplies and clothing to Ukraine. By 2000, the nonprofit sent as many as 93 containers loads of clothing.
“The two primary things that we connect are food and clothing,” Babik said. “I do have news for you, that when an evaluation comes at the end of our lives, there are a couple of things we’ll be evaluated on and that is did you provide food for those who are hungry? Did you provide clothing for the poor?”
Over the years, Master Provisions has partnered with missions to provide aid in Kosovo, Honduras, and central and west Africa. Domestically, Master Provisions works with 270 nonprofit partners to feed over 80,000 people monthly across five states: Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and Ohio.