Batavia Pantry To Move To Interim Facility, Search For Permanent Spot

BATAVIA, IL — The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet will move to a temporary location since their current one will be demolished as a result of Batavia upgrading its Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The pantry's move to 431 N. Raddant Road will allow the organization to offer "uninterrupted assistance" to the community while searching for a permanent location with the support of a $3 million grant secured in January with the help of Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville).

The nonprofit's Board of Directors, in collaboration with the City of Batavia, has been searching for a more suitable and spacious building for several years.

"We have secured this temporary location to ensure no disruption of the vital services that the food pantry and clothes closet provide to the members of our community while we search for their forever home," City Administrator Laura Newman said in a statement.

In the meantime, the temporary location spans about 8,500 square feet with office and storage space, electrical upgrades to accommodate refrigeration and dock doors for delivery, officials said in a news release.

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The Raddant Road location will open at 1 p.m. Oct. 3. The food pantry and Clothes Closet will operate during the same times. Board members, staff and a roster of volunteers are helping move the contents from their existing 4,000-square-foot space at 100 Flinn St.

"The Food Pantry and Clothes Closet already rely heavily on volunteers for much of our day-to-day operations, but the outpouring of help and support from the community for our upcoming move has been so heartwarming," Eileen Pasero, the executive director of the organization, said in a statement. "Many local organizations and individuals have reached out to ask how they can assist with the move; we are so fortunate to serve in this incredibly generous community."