SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) -- A busy South Bay food bank is threatened with closure after being slapped with city zoning violations. For years, lines have snaked around San Jose's Lighthouse Food Rescue and Distribution to get groceries. For people like Andrea Wiley, who was once unhoused and helps fe ed her family, it’s a lifeline. “There's just a variety of choice. They treat you like a person. There's some comradery going on here. This is not like we mechanical. I guess you could say it's friendly. It's a home. It's you know, there's a community,” said Wiley. Opening date set for TT Supermarket in San Francisco But starting Thursday, Pastor Ralph Olmos, says they’re worried they’ll be penalized for helping. The food bank received a violation notice informing Olmos that they would face a $20,000 per day fine if Lighthouse doesn’t remove the food and subsequent line, which the city claims is blocking the sidewalk. “We operate under a state law called SB 33, which allows us to take all the food in your local grocery store. It gives them the dignity to go out and choose your food that you want,” said Pastor Olmos. Olmos says the food bank received similar violations in 2022, but they were later waived. He’s hoping the same thing will happen this time. He's been talking with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who he says empathizes with their cause and wants to help. Olmos hasn’t heard any progress on permits from the city. “From double parking to line control to traffic control. I mean, we're becoming more than just a food distribution, but it's just sad that all the red tape is here,” said Pastor Olmos. In a joint statement Mayor Matt Mahan and councilmember Anthony Tordillos said: “Two things can be true at once – and they are in this case. Lighthouse is doing incredible work in the community and their neighbors deserve to be able to use the sidewalk. We’ve been working with our housing department and code compliance team to find a place where the pastor can relocate and continue serving the community while ensuring that the mobility issues in the neighborhood are addressed so that elderly and disabled residents can get where they need to go. No fines have been assessed – in fact, the city has offered to help with relocation costs because we are committed to finding a solution that is not punitive but creates a better situation for everyone involved.” ...read more read less