At 2:30 p.m. Aug. 10, nine months after it announced its move, the Ballard Food Bank will officially open for business in its new home at 5130 Leary Ave. N.W.

The food bank moved out of its old space at 7001 24th Ave. N.W. Aug. 6 with the help of volunteers and the Ballard High School football team.

And, after an exhausting few days of preparation, the food bank's new space is ready to receive its first customers.

"People just worked hard until we were done," said Nancy McKinney, executive director of the Ballard Food Bank. "It was a couple of 12-hour days."

The new Ballard Food Bank has 75 percent more square footage than the former space. There is more room for storage and services and customers will no longer have to wait outside in the cold and rain.

McKinney said she is looking forward to clients being able to shop in a store setting instead of a cramped space. They now have breathing room and space to browse, she said.

"When I go grocery shopping, I like to be in an atmosphere that's pleasant," she said.

There are a few tasks remaining, such as striping the parking lot and installing a bike rack, but overall, the food bank covered its bases well, McKinney said.

She said businesses surrounding the new location have been supportive of the food bank and expressed their gratitude for cleaning up the building.

McKinney said she is amazed and thankful to the community. The new Ballard Food Bank was built almost entirely from donated labor and materials.

The Ballard Food Bank will be open for food distribution from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's mail box, referral, clothing and hygiene services will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.