Lake Land College Enters Temporary Lease Agreement with Deb's Catering for Effingham Kitchen Use

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EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Board of Trustees at Lake Land College is poised to approve a short-term lease designed to assist a local enterprise following a devastating fire.

According to a Friday press release from the college, the board intends to greenlight a temporary lease for the commercial kitchen at the Effingham Technology Center to Deb’s Catering. This decision is set for a vote at their upcoming regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 10.

The lease proposal follows a massive fire on Oct. 19 that forced the closure of the Altamont kitchen, which supports both Deb’s Catering and The Giving Plate. This disruption has affected their ability to prepare meals for nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels and Head Start.

Consequently, Lake Land has explored forming a community partnership to support Deb’s Catering, ensuring that meal services continue uninterrupted for residents throughout the East-Central Illinois area.

“Lake Land is the community’s college, and we’re dedicated to engaging with our community in meaningful ways,” said Lake Land College President Josh Bullock. “We’re thankful that the resources available at the Effingham Technology Center have put us in the position to meet this crucial need and provide vital support to a local, family-owned business that is committed to serving others.”

This lease will allow Deb’s Catering to operate from the Effingham Technology Center kitchen on a month-to-month basis.

“A fire may have changed our kitchen, but it hasn’t changed our heart,” said Tiffany Wasson of The Giving Plate. “We’re thankful for this temporary space that keeps us moving forward and for every person who’s stood beside us through it all. The journey continues – and we’re cooking with even more gratitude than before.”

The lease also stipulates that the kitchen will be used for the limited purpose of preparing approximately 720 meals per day for Meals on Wheels and Head Start, as well as an additional 200 meals per day for food services provided to local day care centers. Lake Land College said Deb’s Catering will cover any necessary expenses in order to make this kitchen operational.

“We had several community partners approach us about the possibility of leasing the kitchen to Deb’s Catering following the fire, and we worked diligently to plan an agreement that would meet their needs while also ensuring we remain aligned with our legal obligations and responsibilities toward our taxpayers,” Bullock said. “We’re very optimistic about the agreement we have prepared, and we’re thankful to be able to provide crucial support and ensure these essential services continue during a challenging time.”