CLEVELAND – We’re following the official closing of the pantry at Bigman’s Family Center for the last time.
The building on Kinsman Road went into foreclosure and was acquired through the Cuyahoga County Land Bank for, quote, “the unsanitary, overlooked and disrepair of the entire building, including the pantry. “
For years, Bigman’s Family Center, Sauriika Lockett, has worked tirelessly to nurture the neighborhoods of Garden Valley and central Kinsman. For Lockett, his project is personal.
“I know what it’s like not to have it,” Lockett said. It’s a private effort for me to make sure you know there’s a way out. There is another path you can take. It doesn’t have to be a product of its environment. “
While 4 walls don’t describe a patron or a nonprofit, they do describe the Bigman’s Family Center.
Lockett evicted through the Cuyahoga County Land Bank, who acquired the property.
The Cleveland Food Bank ended its partnership with the pantry on July 18.
“I said no, I’m leaving,” Lockett said. “I’m here and I’m going to fight until the end for this community. “
The eviction comes after a year of demanding situations followed through Noticiero 5.
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In August 2023, Bigman’s Pantry was forced to close after an inspection by the Cleveland Food Bank uncovered mice and serious cleaning issues.
After all, the pantry reopened in September after a second visit to the location.
“I’m not going to say there weren’t mice,” Lockett said. “It is a hangar open to the outside, there will be mice and that’s it. We do not have rats or primary rodents of this nature. “
Lockett had the opportunity to acquire the construction of the land bank, but he had the money.
In a statement, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank said:
Land Bank later sent the News five more than a hundred photographs of situations inside the building, which Lockett denies have anything to do with food operations.
“None of this has anything to do with the pantry,” Lockett said.
While we were there, our five News cameras also captured a mouse coming out of the pantry and being chased by a cat.
“Would you say it’s sanitary?” Bryn Caswell of the New 5.
“I would say it’s sanitary because we keep it clean,” Lockett responded.
Cleveland District 5 Councilman Richard A. Starr said it’s time to move on to other assets and is working with network partners to find a solution.
“It’s like it’s a difficult situation, however, as a District 5 Councilmember, I’m committed to collaborating with those organizations to ensure they continue, even though it would possibly take another operator that can own and manage the facilities. for help,” Starr said.
Lockett said she is willing to move, but would like financing.
“If this pantry goes away, there will be no Thanksgiving, there will be no holiday distribution, there will be no coats for the kids,” Lockett said.
Lockett said in the initial agreement that he had until July 31 at five p. m. to raise the $25,000 and deliver it to the land bank. However, he told the land bank, since the facility no longer receives from the food bank, meaning the previous agreement is no longer honored.
Reacting to the end of the pantry partnership, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank said:
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has provided a list of food drives held near the Kinsman neighborhood.