FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville seeks to gain more space
It won't be far, but the FISH Food Pantry may be moving into a larger location in the Meadowdale Shopping Center.
Pantry volunteers have an opportunity to move down the hall and gain 2,000 square feet more space, which is sorely needed for its increasing demand for food, said FISH President Mary Graziano.
"If this happens, it would be so welcomed. For years, we have been concerned about how small our (4.500 square-foot) space is," she said. "We've also been concerned that in our current pantry, we have only one way in and one way out."
The Carpentersville-based pantry has been in its current site for 30 years. In that time, more food and toiletries have been needed for the area's booming population. Volunteers - a total of 68 - have also been added to meet the demand.
When put together, the clients, their children, the volunteers, the food and donated clothing leave little room or quiet to conduct business.
Once volunteers open their doors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, racks of donated clothing are rolled into the hall to free up space to provide service. They are place next to the lines of clients waiting to put free food on their tables.
Volunteers side step each other to find room to reach the stored food, pack shopping bags and interview dozens of clients with their children who apply for service. During the busy seasons of winter and summer, it's worse, she said.
"When we get going (to fill food bags), we are literally bumping into each other," Graziano said. "I don't have to see it. I can hear it every day. 'Excuse me. Pardon me' is all I hear. We are playing bumper bodies when we're busy."
Before any move can be made, FISH must hire an architect to determine the most effective use of the new space. Then, mall managers must approve it. Lastly, Carpentersville village board members must approve it.
"I can't even say how much it will cost or how long it will take, she said. "I'm hoping it will be completed this year. This will be great if it happens because the shopping center is the best location for the pantry. We're on the bus line, and we are close to the (Meadowdale) apartments."
Those apartments along with other neighborhoods in Carpentersville, East and West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow turn to the pantry each month for free food when the 500-plus families cannot afford to buy it.
"This move would be a huge thing for us," Graziano said. "Now, we have to look into raising major funds to pay the architect and for the remodeling work. The mall's management has generously offered us this space with no increase in rent."
The pantry will continue to operate from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the planning stages. It also will remain open on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
For more information about the pantry or to donate food or money, call (847) 428-4357.