Saving the Food Pantry

by Brooke Ezzo

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

The 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.

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.

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.” Under state law, any places of worship in any zoning district, ancillary or philanthropic services operating out of separate buildings must comply with the City’s zoning ordinance — specifically the schedule of uses.

“The schedule of uses for the City of Justin requires that type of use to obtain a Specific Use Permit in order to operate in the single family-old town zoning district,” Reaume said. “It was brought to the city’s attention that the food pantry did not obtain that SUP, and they did not receive a formal certificate of occupancy.”

Because the city does not currently have in place a requirement for annual inspections to keep the certificate of occupancy active, they were unaware that one had never been received.

A SUP application can cost upwards of $1,000, and with other property matters the pantry needs to address, this situation could become pricey. Luckily for the 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. 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 the inspection and the certificate of occupancy. Until then, the pantry is asking for help with the cosmetic needs they currently face, including tree removal, tree clean up, removing the back fence, building the rear sidewalk, and more.

“I think it’s important for people to know that the city cares about our residents and even non-residents served by the Food Pantry,” Reaume said. “The volunteers who donate food, money, and time for this endeavor are part of what makes this city so great.”

The outpouring of support and community action the residents of Justin and surrounding areas have shown the Justin Community Food Pantry is beyond praiseworthy.

To support the pantry or learn of ways to volunteer, visit the Justin Community Food Pantry Facebook page.