A San Jose food pantry said it might have to close after the city gave it an order to stop handing out food because it is blocking parts of a public sidewalk.
The Lighthouse Food Rescue on north 17th Street has been put on notice. Code enforcement sent the nonprofit an email saying its use of the sidewalk to distribute food does not comply with current zoning rules.
The city also says the farmer’s market style setup obstructs a public sidewalk and has given lighthouse 60 days to cease operations.
The Lighthouse already faced a battle with the city during the COVID-19 pandemic over permits. But this time, the nonprofit might be forced to close.
Dennis Grijalva is one of those in line preparing hours before opening the food pantry.
“I mean, food prices have gone up and up and up and up. People’s salaries haven’t really changed. And those who haven’t it’s not enough to compensate for people’s food need,” Grijalva said.
“We’re in a strange time right now where we feel there’s all this red tape in our nonprofit world. And doing a good deed today is just not easy,” president and CEO Pastor Ralph Olmos said.
Lighthouse says it will fight city hall.
The nonprofit’s lawyer sent a letter to the director of code enforcement, demanding a sit-down meeting.
“I’ve reached out to our Code department to see if we can provide an extension to Lighthouse as they work to find a new location,” said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. “My team is also working to connect the Pastor with potential partners who may be able to store their resources temporarily while they find a more permanent solution. While we have to follow the law and zoning designations, we can do it with care and find compromises.”