Batavia charity pantry to open in new home Oct. 1

The Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet will begin operating out of a new home on Oct. 1, city and pantry officials announced Tuesday.

The location at 916 First St. is a 14,000-square-foot facility that will offer more storage and refrigerated space.

The city received a $3 million federal grant to help fund the purchase and renovation of the building. An architect donated time and services to renovate the building.

For several decades, the pantry was located in a small city-owned building on Flinn Street. That building was razed to make way for an expansion of the city’s sewage treatment plant.

The pantry then moved to rented quarters on Raddant Road, while looking for a permanent home.

The city obtained a $3 million federal grant to buy and renovate the building.

The pantry was founded in 1981. The Clothes Closet was added in the 1990s.

A new website will also be introduced Oct. 1.

Roughly 800 Batavia and Batavia Township families are registered users, and it serves more than 1,300 people a month.