The Clintonville Food Pantry will be looking for a new home after they informed the city they wish to no longer continue to operate out of the city’s rec center.
“There is the cost of electrical heat, putting in an electrical furnace, winterizing part of the facility and keeping the restrooms down there operational was pretty close to a year’s rent if not more,” Justin McAuley told the Clintonville Common Council Tuesday night.
The food pantry estimates a cost between $8,000 – $10,000 in heat and utilities alone, which is similar to what they’d pay the city in rent costs.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of the building, the food pantry is electing to explore other options for the winter.
Meanwhile, the city voted to approve closing the rec center indefinitely, though they will still offer storage for the pantry for items that won’t freeze.