Group gets OK to operate church, not food pantry, in Harmar

A church and nonprofit organization can move into a former Jehovah’s Witness hall in Harmar, but it can’t operate a food pantry there.

Feeding the Flock on May 20 was granted an occupancy permit for the building. The group consists of a nonprofit organization, Feeding the Flock Ministries, and a nondenominational church, Feeding the Flock Church, that are separate entities but work together, said their attorney, David York.

The group applied for an occupancy permit as Feeding the Flock Church instead of Feeding the Flock Ministries, which had been denied a zoning permit this year.

According to the approval letter for the occupancy permit, Feeding the Flock can operate only as a church or house of worship in the building. It cannot operate a food pantry, warehouse or other storagelike facility because those are not approved zoning uses for the property.

York said while he is happy the occupancy permit was granted, the group plans to appeal the stipulations related the food pantry.

“We’re not talking about some radical development,” York said. “They want to meet a need that’s clearly a need in our community.”

Township Secretary Ian Fitzgerald said the township has no comment on the matter at this time. The zoning officer, Rick McMillen, was not available for comment Wednesday.

It’s been a months-long process for the group to be allowed to work on the property.

They initially applied for a zoning permit to operate as a house of worship with a food pantry, Bible study and other offerings to the community. That application was denied by the township’s zoning officer in January and then again by the zoning hearing board in April.

The zoning board ruled Feeding the Flock Ministries didn’t meet the requirements of a church or house of worship and food pantries aren’t allowed on the property at 490 Nixon Road because it’s zoned residential and food pantries aren’t a permitted use.

After the zoning hearing board’s denial, York appealed the decision in the Court of Common Pleas. That case is pending.

In the meantime, Feeding the Flock plans to start offering ministry services and events while the appeals are considered.

“You can always have that ‘not in my backyard mentality,’ ” York said. “But, if we always had that attitude, then we’re not going to be serving our communities.”