The “Going Above and Beyond” food pantry began operating out of the city-owned facility following Hurricane Beryl on a donation basis without a formal written lease.
SOUTH HOUSTON, Texas — Hundreds of families who rely on a food pantry that operates in the city of South Houston are left uncertain about where their next meal will come from after city officials moved to evict the organization from a city-owned building, abruptly ending food distribution services.
The “Going Above and Beyond” food pantry, which serves between 500 and 800 families each week, distributed food for what leaders say may be the last time on Tuesday. The pantry began operating out of the city-owned facility following Hurricane Beryl, providing critical assistance to residents struggling with food insecurity.
Nancy Sanchez, founder and CEO of the pantry, said the city allowed the organization to use the space on a donation basis without a formal written lease. She said the pantry and city officials had been in discussions for several months about formalizing the partnership before the eviction notice was issued earlier this month.
“Now I feel heartbroken,” Sanchez said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with them. They’re going to be underserved again, and that’s the problem.”
According to Sanchez, the pantry was ordered to vacate the building and remove all property by Feb. 6, effectively shutting down operations at the site. She said no explanation was provided for the eviction beyond the notice itself.
Food recipients expressed frustration and concern over the decision.
“I would say to me it’s not fair. It’s not fair,” said Alice Romero, who relies on the pantry for groceries.
Joshua Ali, another recipient, said the organization has been vital for many families.
“They’ve been a blessing to my family and myself, plus to all the hundreds of other people that came here, and it would be very sad to see them go,” he said.
Sanchez said she believes the eviction may be connected to a dispute in September, when city crews attempted to enter the facility to photograph operations and were denied access. She suggested a disagreement with a city council member may have played a role.
“I think it’s a personal vendetta with one of the council members, and that’s sad if it is,” Sanchez said.
Requests for comment from South Houston Mayor Joe Soto and City Councilman Willie Rios were declined. In a written statement, both city officials said, “The city is aware of the issue. Because this matter involves pending or threatened litigation, the city cannot comment on the specifics. The city will respond through the appropriate legal process and continue to act in the best interests of the community.”
Rios later said the pantry denied a city code inspector access to the building and maintained that the city should have full access to city-owned property.
The city is scheduled to hold a council meeting on Tuesday night. Sanchez and pantry staff are urging community members to attend and ask city leaders to reconsider the eviction, which they say will impact hundreds of families across the city of South Houston.
You can find more on the food pantry here: www.gabtx.org.
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