Barb Food Mart to move from Huntley Middle School to Chesebro

DeKALB - The DeKalb School District’s food pantry is moving from Huntley Middle School to the former Chesebro Elementary School building at the end of this month.

According to a news release, beginning on Thursday, July 29, Barb Food Mart’s new home will be Chesebro, 900 E. Garden Street in DeKalb, a building which has been vacant for a decade and is undergoing renovations to become a therapeutic day facility for DeKalb students.

[ Vacant Chesebro building to become special education facility for District 428 ]

Barb Food Mart will continue to be open every week on Thursdays between 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The pantry’s final food distribution day at Huntley will be July 14. The pantry will be closed on July 22.

Barb Food Mart has served families with children in DeKalb schools since 2013. Those using the pantry must register every year, either online at www.barbfoodmart.com or by contacting the office of the school attended by a child.

In response to the pandemic, in March 2020, the pantry was converted to a drive-through curbside pickup operation. During this time, the number of people who visited the pantry doubled to as many as 160 families each week, according to the release.

At Chesebro, food will continue to be distributed outdoors with curbside pickup for those who drive up to the front door at the Garden Street entrance. Walk-up pickup will be available for those who park in the parking lot accessed off Taylor Street and walk to the entrance. Wagons will be available to help people carry food boxes to cars.

Beginning on July 28, donations of food and personal care items may be dropped off at Chesebro using the Garden Street entrance. Donation times are Wednesdays between 1 and 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays between 9 and 10:30 a.m.

Beginning July 26, mail monetary donations to Chesebro Elementary School, 900 E. Garden St., DeKalb, IL 60115. Do not mail or drop off donations at Huntley at this time.

The pantry’s move from Huntley Middle School to Chesebro Elementary School is part of a district space reallocation plan.

More information about Barb Food Mart and the move is available at www.barbfoodmart.com. Send questions to barbfoodmart@d428.org.