2026 Sister Visitor Center Pantry Renovation Project

Project Overview: Sister Visitor Center (SVC) is experiencing unprecedented demand for its services. In just two years, the number of individuals served annually increased from 8,068 to 24,814—a 200% rise. While community need continues to grow, SVC’s current facility has become the primary constraint limiting how many families can be served safely and efficiently.

To address this challenge, SVC is partnering with the University of Louisville J.B. Speed School of Engineering. As part of this applied learning project, engineering students will assess SVC’s existing facility and operational flow, including how clients move through the building, how food donations are received and stored, and how staff and volunteers manage services.

Deliverables: Based on this analysis, students will develop renovation designs and produce blueprints to guide future construction. Key focus areas include:

· Expanding the pantry distribution area to support the organization’s choice pantry model, allowing families to select foods that meet their dietary, cultural, and household needs.

· Creating a dedicated receiving and sorting area to manage the growing volume of in-kind donations from community partners and grocery retailers.

· Reorganizing warehouse storage to improve inventory flow, safety, cleanliness, and capacity.

· Designing a more functional intake and waiting area that reduces congestion and improves the experience for guests.

· Relocating and expanding Emergency Financial Assistance offices to better accommodate confidential meetings and growing demand for supportive services.

· Repurposing existing offices to better align with program needs and staff workflow.

Outcomes: The renovation will allow SVC to align its physical infrastructure with the scale of need in the community. Upon completion, the redesigned facility is expected to:

· Increase daily service capacity to up to 130 families per day.

· Improve operational efficiency for staff and volunteers.

· Strengthen the organization’s ability to receive and distribute large volumes of donated food and supplies.

· Enhance safety and dignity for families accessing services.

· Support the long-term sustainability of SVC’s client-centered, choice-based food pantry model.

Project Mentor:
Mr. Robert Rankin
Commander U.S Navy Reserve (retired)
Former executive at 3M and Philips , NV
Vice-president of Facilities at Barlett Maritime