Commission on Economic Opportunity

The Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living is more than a building — it’s a new model for fighting hunger and improving health across Northeast Pennsylvania. This 50,000+ square-foot facility serves as the home of CEO’s Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, dramatically expanding our capacity to receive, store, and distribute nutritious food to those who need it most.

Designed with innovation in mind, the Center can handle three times the previous food volume and features temperature-controlled storage to preserve perishable items and extend the life of fresh produce. Equipped with modern technology, the facility ensures that healthy food reaches families and children in its freshest, most nourishing form.

Beyond food distribution, the Center also empowers clients through nutrition education—offering practical lessons in healthy eating, cooking, and shopping on a budget so families can make lasting lifestyle changes.

Facility Highlights:

• 55,220 total square feet
• 4,280 sq. ft. volunteer sorting and repack area
• 1,050 sq. ft. agency shopping area (dry, frozen, and refrigerated storage)
• 5,310 sq. ft. of freezer space and 1,480 sq. ft. of refrigerated space
• 12,875 sq. ft. of dry storage
• 8 million-pound total capacity
• Distribution network spanning four counties
• Multi-purpose meeting room with cooking equipment for nutrition education

Since its founding in 1985, the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank has served the counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming, helping families with dignity and compassion. In response to the growing need for food assistance, the Center recently began a 15,000-square-foot expansion to further increase storage and distribution capacity—ensuring we can continue feeding hope and strengthening communities for years to come.

Address:

The Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living
185 Research Drive
Pittston, PA 18640