Batavia Pantry Moves To Permanent Location

BATAVIA, IL — The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet will serve clients out of its permanent facility beginning Oct. 1, the not-for-profit organization said.

Area churches founded the pantry in 1981, with the Clothes Closet being added in the 1990s. As services expanded, the organization's original home at 100 Flinn St. became inadequate, with needs becoming urgent when upgrades to the city's Wastewater Treatment Plant required the Flinn Street building to be demolished.

With help from Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville), the pantry secured a $3 million Community Project Funding Grant to relocate to a new, larger space, at 916 First St. The city purchased the First Street building in 2024, and architect Gregory A. Norris volunteered to design renovations tailored to the needs of clients, volunteers and staff, pantry officials said.

The new facility spans about 14,000 square feet, featuring offices, expanded storage, upgraded electrical service to support more refrigeration, and a loading dock and drive-in docks to accommodate deliveries.

Beginning in September 2023, the pantry operated from a temporary space at 431 N. Raddant Road.

The pantry plans to unveil a new website and logo on the same day it's welcoming its more than 800 registered Batavia and Batavia Township families to its new location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house are planned later this fall, according to a news release.

"We have been able to accomplish this move to a larger facility thanks to the unwavering dedication and support of our community," Executive Director Eileen Pasero said in a statement. "We are always humbled by the way Batavians rally to help their neighbors. This new facility will enable us to better meet the needs of our community, providing a shopping experience that centers on dignity and respect for all who visit us."

The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry serves roughly 1,300 people each month, including 400 families, with 12 percent of clients being seniors and 35 percent children. The majority of the pantry's food comes from rescue efforts — adding up to 350,000 pounds in 2024 — as pantry vans visit partner grocery stores four times per week, the organization said. Last year, about 100,000 pounds of food came from community donations and food drives.

The pantry relies on 11,000 volunteer hours annually, in addition to one full-time employee and four part-time staff. Community members interested in volunteering can find more information on the organization's website.

The pantry's hours of operation will remain unchanged at the First Street building: It will open from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to noon Friday.