Local church's food pantry forced to shut down
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The food pantry at Cristo Viene Church, located near Decatur and Smoke Ranch, will soon close its doors because it doesn't have a special use permit. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The food pantry at Cristo Viene Church, located near Decatur Boulevard and Smoke Ranch Road, will soon close its doors because it doesn't have a special use permit.
The church itself can be there, but it's unable to be a food distribution center, according to Las Vegas City paperwork.
The volunteer coordinator, Rosie Garcia, tells Action News they were only made aware of their violation recently.
"We have to shut down by the end of the month and our truck delivery has to immediately stop," explains Garcia.
Many who receive service from the pantry are upset; several have written letters.
"Basically if it wasn't for this food pantry I would not be able to eat," says Kathleen Clendenen. "They service a lot of people, a lot of families; it worries me."
The pantry claims the neighbors in the area have complained. Neighbors who spoke to Action News say it's not what the pantry does that's the problem, it's where.
"If they were across the street, I don't care if they ran the food bank 24 hours a day, they're not going to bother anybody over there," suggests Ray Swartz.
But despite his complaints, Swartz says it was not him that called the city.
If the pantry resumes operations without the appropriate permit, they'll be fined.
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