Food for Greater Elgin gets much-needed parking lot

The opening of a new parking lot doesn't usually warrant a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a visit from the mayor.

But Food for Greater Elgin's Executive Director Michael Montgomery says the feedback he's getting from clients about the food pantry's new lot opening suggests it's worth the hoopla.

"They've been parking blocks away, trudging through snow and dodging trucks for years now," Montgomery said. "This is a significant improvement in the quality of their lives when they come here to get food."

The Food for Greater Elgin building at 1553 Commerce Drive is in an industrial area just northwest of I-90 and Route 31 and used to have just a handful of spaces along the side of the building. The new lot will easily handle the clients that visit while allowing for donation drop-offs as well.

"I knew the feedback would be positive, but the gratitude of people for a simple parking lot has been unbelievable," he said.

The parking lot cost about $340,000, according to Montgomery.

Fundraising is still ongoing, but grants from John B. Sanfillippo and Son, Ozinga Family Foundation, Component Management Group and Brittain's Car Wash have covered half the cost so far.

Montgomery said the pandemic continues to drive families to the food bank and that the number of people they serve has more than doubled since 2019.

"We have a lot of people in this community who are not eligible for governmental assistance but desperately need food," he said.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. and be followed by tours of the food pantry.