the pantry needs to address, this situation could become pricey. Luckily for the
SAVING
The Food Pantry by Brooke Ezzo
pantry, Justin residents are a tight-knit
community. They quickly rose to action by spreading the word and creating a GoFundMe page to help with any financial needs.
With ongoing drainage issues along
3rd Street in Justin, where the pantry is
located, the pantry would need to begin serving clients using the JUMC rear
parking instead of the pantry’s front lot.
T
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. -Matthew 25:35
he Justin Community Food Pantry has been a staple in the community for over five years, providing food and meals to approximately 95 families and 350 individual community members monthly. During summer months the volunteerrun pantry provides snack packs for school-age children and during the holidays they assist residents with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
This would allow the city to begin making the overdue drainage improvements to the road.
Because of this, members of Justin Cares, the group that runs the pantry, would
need to build a six-foot wide walkway from their back door to the JUMC parking lot. This will require the removal of trees on
the corner of the property. And, more than likely there will be required improvements to the building after the final inspection is completed.
As of September 21, the pantry received its Specific Use Permit. Next will be
Over the last few months, the pantry has been a topic of discussion on local Facebook groups concerning a Specific Use Permit (SUP) needed for the pantry to continue operating and serving our community.
Under state law, any places of worship
the inspection and the certificate of
philanthropic services operating out of
for help with the cosmetic needs they
City’s zoning ordinance — specifically the
tree clean up, removing the back fence,
In mid-July, it was brought to the public’s attention that the pantry could potentially receive a Cease and Desist order from the city. The city had determined that the pantry property, owned by Justin United Methodist Church, is not being used for worship but rather for the distribution of food — deeming the pantry not properly zoned under zoning guidelines. “The food pantry has been operational for about five years now in the current location,” City Manager Cori Reaume said. “At the time they began operations, the city did not take them through the proper procedures and requirements for operation.” 20 | 35 WEST | OCTOBER 2020
in any zoning district, ancillary or
occupancy. Until then, the pantry is asking
separate buildings must comply with the
currently face, including tree removal,
schedule of uses.
building the rear sidewalk, and more.
“The schedule of uses for the City of
“I think it’s important for people to know
Specific Use Permit in order to operate in
even non-residents served by the Food
Reaume said. “It was brought to the city’s
donate food, money, and time for this
obtain that SUP, and they did not receive a
so great.”
Justin requires that type of use to obtain a
that the city cares about our residents and
the single family-old town zoning district,”
Pantry,” Reaume said. “The volunteers who
attention that the food pantry did not
endeavor are part of what makes this city
formal certificate of occupancy.”
The outpouring of support and
Because the city does not currently
community action the residents of Justin
inspections to keep the certificate of
Justin Community Food Pantry is
have in place a requirement for annual
and surrounding areas have shown the
occupancy active, they were unaware that
beyond praiseworthy.
one had never been received.
A SUP application can cost upwards of
$1,000, and with other property matters
To support the pantry or learn of ways to
volunteer, visit the Justin Community Food Pantry Facebook page.
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