Food Pantry Opens Its Doors in New Location

The reopened today in a just a mile from its old location on South Main Street.

Volunteers arranged groceries neatly on tall shelves in the storage area. A repairman came by to fix the refrigerator. Rows of matching chairs were set up in the front waiting room. In a small room are racks of clothes for the purpose of outfitting those who needed an outfit for a job interview.

"My whole philosophy is I don't want to give people fish. I want to teach them how to fish," said Karen Kolander, director of the Milpitas Food Pantry. She said the nonprofit would provide help with resumes.

The nonprofit now has more space and physical capacity to accommodate its clientele, about 4,000-5,000 individuals from Milpitas and Alviso who depend on them for groceries, totaling 250,000 meals a year.

With several rooms, a small kitchen and storage, the new place is 16,000-square feet and includes a few parking spaces in front.

The city offered the nonprofit a two-year lease with the city to pay $1,600 per month, plus a $1,000 security deposit. The city purchased an one acre-property, which includes the building and several other businesses, with redevelopment money in mid-February.

The nonprofit has been looking for a new space since its old landlord decided not to renew the lease. The city's Sal Cracolice Building had been considered last summer as a possible location, but was opposed by many residents in the KB Homes complex.

Kolander said they plan to take down a wall in between the food area and the waiting room. She said they plans to repaint the interior and get new floors for the grocery area.

The hours will remain the same: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursday evenings from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon.

The pantry accepts donations of household items, from food to tolietries to small appliances and furniture, including lamps.