City Allows Church Food Pantry After Uproar
Daytona Beach, Florida, has overturned a prior ordinance that restricted the Seventh-Day Baptist Church from running its food pantry, enabling the church to restart its mission of assisting families in need. This decision comes after a federal lawsuit filed by the church, which ultimately led to a settlement granting permanent authorization for the pantry’s operation. The resolution, reached through negotiations between city officials and the church, resulted in the lawsuit being dismissed, as confirmed by representatives from the First Liberty Institute and Sidley Austin L.L.P.
Ryan Gardner, legal counsel for the church, commended city officials for their cooperation in finding a solution that allows the church to continue addressing local food insecurity. He stressed the importance of initiatives that combat hunger and applauded the church’s dedication to serving vulnerable members of the community. Since its inception in 2007, the church’s food ministry had operated smoothly, even after relocating to an area targeted for redevelopment and revitalization.
Despite years of successful service, city authorities later enforced restrictions that forced the pantry to close. In response, the church initiated legal action, arguing that the ordinance unfairly prevented them from carrying out their charitable work. By providing evidence of their exemption under a previous regulation, the church temporarily resumed operations while awaiting a final decision on the matter.
Pastor David Troxler, who has led the congregation since 1995, noted that the food pantry began in 2010 to help combat food insecurity in a region classified as a food desert. As demand for food assistance grew, the pantry eventually began serving over 500 families each month by the previous year. With the ordinance now repealed, the church is free to continue distributing food twice a month to those in need, fulfilling a vital role in the community.