Adelanto leases community center to High Desert Second Chance for $1 to start food pantry

The Adelanto City Council voted May 22 to lease a city facility to High Desert Second Chance at a nominal rate so the nonprofit can establish a food pantry and regional edible‑food recovery hub.

City staff presented the short‑term lease proposal and recommended a dollar‑per‑year lease because state legal rules require a token consideration for the transfer; City Manager (S8) said the minimum the city could accept legally was $1. Christina of High Desert Second Chance (S15) told council the organization coordinates food recovery across 12 High Desert jurisdictions and is focusing supply and distribution on Adelanto residents.

“12 jurisdictions within the High Desert region of San Bernardino County, and only 2 have stepped up to invest in their community as far as capacity building, edible food recovery, and that is Adelanto and the city of Big Bear,” Christina said, describing plans for refrigerated capacity and local distribution.

Council members praised the move as a quick way to deliver food assistance: the lessee will pay the utilities, and the initial lease term is short and terminable with short notice, officials said. The council approved the lease by voice vote.

Why it matters: Council members said Adelanto has limited in‑city resources for food distribution and that the pantry fills a local gap by keeping donated food in the city. City staff noted the lease is intended as a temporary stopgap to allow immediate service while staff and council work on longer‑term facilities and oversight.

Next steps: High Desert Second Chance will proceed with capacity‑building work and coordinate with the city’s environmental health and social‑service partners; staff will share periodic reports on usage and outputs as requested by the council.