LAKEVIEW — After more than a decade on Broadway, Lakeview Pantry is looking for a new home.
Executive Director Gary Garland said the nonprofit is eyeing a property at 3943 N. Sheridan Ave., just feet from the Sheridan Red Line stop.
"We still haven't closed, but we're doing our due diligence on the property," Garland said. "We should know in 30 to 60 days."
Garland said the pantry outgrew its current home at 3831 N. Broadway "several years ago." The new location would offer twice as much space — plus a conference room and larger waiting area.
"That's more space for food storage, more space for clients coming in," Garland said. "People will be able to fit inside without spilling over and having to wait on the sidewalk."
Lakeview Pantry distributes food and helps clients find jobs and housing. In the 12 years it's been on Broadway, Garland said, staff has grown from three to 13, and volunteers jumped from 100 to 1,000 annually.
Plus, "we distribute 1 million pounds of food a year. That just takes up a lot of space."
Since the pantry launched in 1970, it's always leased property. This time around, the organization wants to buy outright.
"If you've ever bought a house, it's like that on steroids," Garland said of the purchasing process. "It's a lot of ups and downs and negotiating. But we're doing our due diligence and making sure everything's as we imagined. ... It's very exciting."
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