College Offers Temporary Kitchen Lease to Deb’s Catering Following Fire

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | November 2025

Article Summary: To support a local business and community services after a fire, the board approved a temporary lease allowing Deb’s Catering to use the kitchen facilities at the Effingham Technology Center.

Lease Agreement Key Points:

• Reason: A fire recently closed Deb’s Catering and The Giving Plate in Altamont.

• Community Impact: The business provides meals for non-profits like Meals on Wheels and Head Start.

• Terms: A month-to-month lease not to exceed nine months at a rate of $1,307 per month.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, November 10, 2025, approved a temporary lease agreement to assist a local business displaced by a fire.

Deb’s Catering of Altamont, which also operates The Giving Plate, recently suffered a substantial fire that shut down its operations. John Woodruff, Vice President for Business Services, explained that beyond standard catering, the company holds a contract with CEFS to provide essential meals to non-profit organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Head Start.

Woodruff stated that community partners approached the college about utilizing the commercial kitchen space at the Effingham Technology Center to allow these services to continue. The board approved a month-to-month lease agreement effective November 11.

The monthly lease payment is set at $1,307, a rate comparable to area market rates. The payment covers utilities, maintenance, and facility repairs, though waste and grease disposal costs are excluded. The lease is intended to last no longer than nine months.