Lake Land College Partners with Deb's Catering for Temporary Effingham Kitchen Lease

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EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — In a bid to assist a local business grappling with the aftermath of a devastating fire, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees is poised to approve a temporary lease agreement.

According to a press release issued by the college on Friday, the board plans to vote on Monday, Nov. 10, regarding the temporary lease of the commercial kitchen at the Effingham Technology Center to Deb’s Catering. This decision is anticipated during their upcoming regular board meeting.

The need for this lease arose after a significant fire on Oct. 19 rendered the Altamont kitchen, home to Deb’s Catering and The Giving Plate, inoperable. The blaze has interrupted the business’s ability to provide meals for nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels and Head Start.

In light of this challenge, Lake Land College has assessed the potential for a community partnership to assist Deb’s Catering, ensuring that meal services for residents in the East-Central Illinois area continue without disruption.

“Lake Land is the community’s college, and we’re dedicated to engaging with our community in meaningful ways,” remarked Lake Land College President Josh Bullock. “We’re grateful that the Effingham Technology Center’s resources enable us to address this critical need and offer essential support to a local, family-owned business 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.”