After years of community fundraising efforts and countless applications to potential granting agencies - the Yamhill Community Action Partnership hit a $3.1 million funding target and both started and finished its new facility in the McMinnville Industrial Park this year. By November, YCAP was completely moved in.

"It's been amazing," said Executive Director Lee Means. She acknowledged that it's been a lot of work and rather stressful - especially since the move was right in the midst of the agency's busy season - but the new facility is just superb.

The community acted immediately to work to fill the food bank - which finally had space to both store goods and operate efficiently. YCAP depends on the food collected at this time to carry it over until the other big drive, which is conducted by the postal carriers in May.

Means said she is pleasantly surprised by how well the space is working - with the staff and volunteers happy. The client intake rooms, which look out over the play area, allow for parents to meet privately while their children play. That way the children aren't listening to the money woes and homelessness issues facing their family.

While nearly complete, there are still a few minor issues to be worked out, such as chairs for the reception area and getting a mail box installed. But all in all, YCAP's new home-sweet-home is proving to be a true community asset.