SARASOTA, Fla. -- "I'm shocked and I'm horrified," said one Bethasda House client.
That's how one Bradenton woman feels after hearing the news that the food pantry portion of the Bethesda House on 4th Street in Sarasota is being forced to close. She has had HIV for 20 years and tells us she relies very heavily on these nutritional foods and services that are provided.
"This is a wonderful, good program, great people and it just impacts my life tremendously so I'm very sad," said the woman who wanted to remain anonymous.
On Wednesday, the city's Board of Adjustment decided that Bethesda House does not qualify as a food pantry under the current zoning regulations. City officials say they're just following the rules that are in place.
"Unfortunately, we weren't aware of the activity taking place, but once we were we did have to take action on it," said Gretchen Schneider, general manager of Sarasota's Planning and Development.
Workers say these aren't just any foods. There's a wide variety of healthy choices that they have been providing to hundreds of clients for more than 25 years.
"The nutrition is key, in maintaining their wellness, their well being to eat properly, receive high protein foods and that's where we come in," said Colleen McMenamin, a program director with Bethesda House.
Bethesda House is overseen by Catholic Charities and St. Martha Catholic Church. The CEO of Catholic Charities says they will still provide services to those with HIV/Aids at the same location, minus the food. In a statement released to us by the Diocese of Venice they say this decision by the city is disturbing.
"You're making it more difficult for them to get the help that they need," said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Venice, "in a city where it's Christmas time of all times, they make a decision that we need to shut down this food fulfillment portion of our program."
