CLEVELAND – We’re following up on the latest official food pantry from the Bigman’s Family Center for the last time.
The construction of Kinsman Road was foreclosed on and acquired through the Land Bank of Cuyahoga County for, and I quote, “the unsanitary, unkempt, and dilapidated state of all construction, 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 feels 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 does not describe a user or nonprofit, it does describe 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 revealed mice and serious cleaning issues.
The pantry finally reopened its doors in September after a brief on-site visit.
“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 don’t have rats or primary rodents of this nature. “
Lockett had the opportunity to buy the building at the land bank but didn’t have the money.
In a statement, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank said:
Land Bank later sent News five more than a hundred photographs of the building’s internal situations, 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?” New 5’s Bryn Caswell asked.
“I would say it’s sanitary because we keep it clean,” Lockett responded.
Richard A. Starr, Cleveland’s District 5 Councilmember, said it’s time to move on to other assets and is working with network partners to find a solution.
“It sounds like it’s a complicated situation, however, as a District Five Councilmember, I’m committed to collaborating with those organizations to ensure they continue, although it would possibly take another operator who can own and operate the facility to get help. ,” Starr said.
Lockett said she’s 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 original agreement that he had until July 31 at 5 p. m. to raise the $25,000 and turn it into a land bank. However, the land bank said that since the facility no longer receives from the food bank, meaning the previous agreement is no longer honored.
In reaction to the end of the partnership with the pantry, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank said:
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank has provided a list of food drives held near the Kinsman neighborhood.