A popular San Jose neighborhood food pantry, Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution, is at risk of closing after the city issued new zoning violations. The organization received a citation from San Jose on September 25 for hosting its food distribution on the sidewalk and for not adhering to current zoning rules, which no longer permit a food distribution center in its neighborhood. According to the citation, Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution must comply by removing the distribution and canopies from the sidewalk within 10 days, or it will face daily fines of up to $20,000. The citation also mandates that the food pantry cease all operations within 60 days.
Pastor Ralph Olmos, president and CEO of Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution, expressed his distress, stating that he feels "up against the wall" and that his conviction leads him to ask, "How can I leave the people?" Residents and advocates emphasize that the food pantry is a vital resource for families, older adults, unhoused individuals, and people with disabilities. It serves more than 1,000 people daily, five days a week, from noon to 5 p.m. The pantry, located at E. Julian and 17th streets near Lighthouse Church, offers a variety of foods often unavailable at other pantries, including milk, meat, and eggs. Many families in the area rely on its accessible walking-distance location.
San Jose previously cited Olmos' efforts more than four years ago for zoning noncompliance. At that time, operating required a special use permit that cost up to $15,500, a sum the organization could not afford. Following community protest, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously in 2022 either to waive special use permit fees for food pantries or to establish a program to fund such permits.
However, Marika Krause, spokesperson for the city Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department, stated that the zoning has since changed, rendering a special use permit no longer an option. The citation Lighthouse received confirms that a food distribution center is no longer a permissible use of the building. Krause affirmed the city's appreciation for community organizations, noting that the city is working with the property owner to find a suitable path forward in ensuring community health and safety, and that inspectors' goal is to work collaboratively.
Pastor Olmos said the recent citation confused him, as he had not received prior communication from the city regarding non-compliance or the zoning change. He stated that they were not informed of any of that, and lamented the amount of red tape involved, suggesting it discourages nonprofit work and efforts to help the unhoused.
Community members value Lighthouse Food Rescue & Distribution for its variety and choice of food. Tim Robinson, 65, who moved to San Jose after losing his job and lives near the pantry, relies on it at least once a week. Robinson said he would suffer without the pantry, as he is very dependent on it.
The pantry also prepares specialized food boxes for pickup, including options for people with diabetes, vegetarian boxes, and premade meals for unhoused individuals. Homeless advocate Shaunn Cartwright highlighted the importance of these options, particularly for those with health conditions, noting that nobody else allows clients to be in charge of the food they pick up, which gives dignity.
Olmos indicated that if he is not allowed to set up on the sidewalk, he will need to close the pantry. Relocation remains a possibility, but any new site would need to be both accessible to older adults and people with disabilities and have affordable rent. Olmos concluded that losing the pantry would be a community injury for sure.
