Loaves and Fishes ready to build permanent facility

Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry has bounced between several Fifth Avenue warehouses since 1992. But with a growing need for its services, pantry officials have decided to build a larger, permanent facility in Naperville.

The pantry purchased, with the assistance of a Community Development Block Grant from the city, a lot at 1871 High Grove Lane in Naperville in April 2008. Doug Stanley, chairman of the group's building committee, said Wednesday that it's time to build on the property.

"After reviewing all the options to achieve the vision of a growing organization, we've decided that building is the most viable, cost-effective alternative," Stanley said, noting the next steps include site preparation, an early summer groundbreaking and an early 2011 completion.

Executive Director Charles McLimans said the pantry is currently capable of serving 40,000 to 50,000 pounds of food a week to 3,600 area families from it's 8,000-square-foot warehouse. The new facility, expected to be about 17,000 square feet, will allow the pantry to triple its offerings of more fresh and nutritious food and expand its distribution hours.

McLimans said the number of area families unable to provide three meals a day continues to "increase at an alarming rate," an indicator of increasing job loss and financial difficulties.

"The new facility will position us to fulfill our mission of client empowerment by offering access to additional key services." McLimans said Wednesday. "Providing on-site access to information and collaborating with other organizations focused on poverty issues will empower our clients to improve their lives."

The larger facility also will require more volunteers to take on the additional services.

"The board is actively seeking additional philanthropic support for Loaves & Fishes during this time," McLimans said. "We are excited about engaging members of our community who are concerned with food insecurity issues and who want to be a part of the solution to end hunger."