City buys building to relocate Self-Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines

The Self-Help Closet and Pantry of Des Plaines will be changing locations to help it provide more services to residents in a larger building.

The city council agreed Monday to buy the former Stadium Sports Club and Pizza at 769 Holiday Lane, just northeast of the intersection of Elmhurst and Algonquin roads, for $265,000.

The city will then lease the building to the organization, which has been paying the city $1 annually to lease its current home. Officials say the new location will double the pantry's space from its current location at 600 E. Algonquin Road, from which it provides groceries and clothing goods to about 400 families in the Des Plaines area.

"I will be sad to lose the pantry as a third ward neighbor, but I am elated that they will have the opportunity to expand (their) services," 3rd Ward Alderman Denise Rodd said.

The pantry has had to rent a self-storage building to store donations it receives, according to the city. Additionally, it's struggled to provide enough parking and even turned away volunteers because of the limited space at the existing facility, city officials said.

The city plans to complete purchase of the property after a 90-day due diligence period, make repairs to the building and lease it to the pantry. The pantry also is expected to contribute $125,000 for repairs.

Once the pantry is relocated, the city will sell the building at 600 E. Algonquin Road to help offset the costs. The city originally bought the building on Algonquin Road in 2000 for $200,000, which was reimbursed with state grant funding. It has leased the property to the self-help pantry for $1 per year since.

"It's a perfect venue for the new self-help pantry, and there's quite a bit of residents around that area that it will be beneficial to have the pantry there also," 8th Ward Alderman Mike Charewicz said.