A popular neighborhood food pantry serving more than 1,000 people a day could be forced [1] to close after San Jose cited it for sidewalk distribution and zoning violations. Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution now faces a rapidly approaching compliance deadline and potentially crushing daily fines.
The city issued the citation on Sept. 25, ordering Lighthouse to remove its food distribution operation and canopies from the sidewalk within 10 days. Failure to comply could trigger fines of up to $20,000 a day, while the pantry also must cease operations within 60 days.
Pastor Ralph Olmos, the pantry’s president and CEO, said the city’s action has left him with few options. He told San José Spotlight that the organization’s mission will be nearly impossible to continue under the restrictions.
“I’m up against the wall,” Olmos said. “It’s almost like (the city is) telling me to stop. But my conviction says, ‘How can I leave the people?’”
Residents and advocates describe Lighthouse as a vital resource for families, older adults, homeless people and people with disabilities. The pantry distributes food five days a week from noon until 5 p.m., offering milk, meat, eggs and other foods that residents may not find at other pantries.
The zoning fight is not entirely new. San Jose cited Olmos more than four years ago for zoning noncompliance, and the organization was told it needed a special use permit costing up to $15,500 to continue operating.
Lighthouse did not have that money. Following community protests, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously in 2022 either to waive special use permit fees for food pantries or create a program that would pay for those permits.
That supposed path forward has now disappeared. Marika Krause, a spokesperson for the city Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, said the zoning has changed and obtaining a special use permit is no longer an option for Lighthouse.
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The citation states that operating a food distribution center is no longer a permissible use of the building. The city, however, said it values the work performed by organizations helping residents through difficult circumstances.
“We value and commend the efforts of community organizations that help people during difficult times,” Krause told San José Spotlight. “The city is working with the property owner to find a suitable path forward in ensuring the health and safety of our community. Our inspectors have made it clear our goal is to work collaboratively.”
Olmos said the citation was confusing and appeared to arrive without warning. He said there had been no prior communication from the city informing him that the zoning had changed or that Lighthouse was no longer operating in compliance.
“We were not informed (of) any of that,” Olmos said. “It’s so crazy how much red tape we have to go through. You’re going to discourage people from starting a nonprofit, from helping the homeless.”
The pantry is located at E. Julian and 17th streets near Lighthouse Church. Many of the families relying upon it live within walking distance, making the location especially useful to older adults and people with disabilities.
Tim Robinson, 65, moved from San Francisco to live with his brother in San Jose after losing his job at Williams Sonoma. Robinson lives down the street from the pantry and receives food there at least once a week.
“I would suffer (without the pantry),” Robinson told San José Spotlight. “I’m very dependent on it.”
Lighthouse also prepares specialized food boxes, including a box designed for people with diabetes, a vegetarian box and a box containing premade meals for homeless people. Residents can choose food, an approach homeless advocate Shaunn Cartwright said gives recipients dignity.
“The box is super important because diabetes and hypertension are involved in so many of the unhoused deaths,” Cartwright told San José Spotlight. “Nobody else lets you be in charge of the food that you pick up. This gives you dignity, and that’s what’s really important.”
Olmos said Lighthouse will have to shut down if it cannot continue setting up on the sidewalk. Relocation remains possible, but any new site would need affordable rent and accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities.
“To lose something like this … it’ll be a community injury for sure,” Olmos said.