4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS COMMUNITY RESOURCES WASHTENAW GENERAL DEFENSE COMMITTEE On December 4, 2022 the Love Stand, a free food stand in Depot Town, was shut down by the City of Ypsilanti due to citations of blight and incorrect zoning. The owner and operator of the stand failed to pull necessary permits, including historic district commission and zoning permits. Zoning — specifically historic zones — are weaponized to protect the property values of homeowners and business owners by keeping poor people out of those areas. These "health and safety" spatial regulations were originally implemented in the United States to designate safe areas for white people to own property, segregated from the rest of the community. As fuel prices skyrocket, so does the price of everything else. Most food types (dairy, meat and produce) have inflated by more than 10% over the past year alone. The price of eggs has inflated more than 30%. To no one's surprise, wages have stayed relatively the same, forcing individuals and families to live more precariously just to access basic needs. Food pantries are essential resources, but oftentimes they are only open at specific times and days. The Love Stand was a key resource in Ypsilanti as a 24/7 access point for free food. Community members were witnessed using the stand constantly — from the middle of the day to the middle of the night. After an initial news blast reporting on the ordered closure, community members responded with overwhelming frustration with the city, showing the need for such a resource. We had a community resource. The city ordered the removal of that community resource. We will continue to organize to protect access to free food in our community. We invite all community members acting in good faith to participate in stocking, maintaining and gathering from open-access free food pantries at 169 N. Washington St. (immediately north of the Ypsilanti Transit Center) and 706 Davis St. (Peace House Ypsi). Details of where to access more food pantries and free hot meals in Washtenaw County can be found in the Washtenaw Street Survival Guide. PROTECT FOOD ACCESS! Solidarity Pantry is a 24/7 access outdoor food pantry located at 169 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. JANUARY 13, 2023 Food should be free! Ypsi shutters the Love Stand
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