Pan-African Connection has been cleared of wrongdoing by the city after Code Enforcement claimed the establishment needed to remove its community fridge and free pantry to comply with local ordinance.
This news came about a week after July 19, when Pan-African Connection temporarily shut down its mutual aid services. Following an encounter with Dallas Code Compliance officers, the legality of the Pan-African bookstore’s free fridge/pantry was thrown into question.
“We never received anything in writing,” store owner Akwete Tyehimba says. “They were doing an inspection of the shopping center because it’s coming under new management. So they were inspecting everybody’s occupancy permits and making sure we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. But then we stepped outside. Code, Homeless Solutions, and a few Dallas police officers were here. They said ‘you’re gonna have to take this table down.’”
Code Enforcement explained that while free food may be given to the homeless, making the food available 24 hours a day without a set schedule is illegal. This was later proven to be false, as ordinance only outlines regulations regarding larger gatherings, food perishability, and sanitary use.
After a week without receiving written notice, PAC made an Instagram post announcing the closure of the community fridge/pantry. The post went viral, sparking community outrage from organizations and activists across the city. Soon after, the city contacted the establishment and clarified that PAC is not breaking any laws and that the pantry may remain operational. However, mixed messaging from Code Enforcement and Homeless Solutions implied vague disapproval nonetheless.
“[Homeless Solutions] was trying to say that we are attracting homeless people to the area and enabling them and that they won’t seek the necessary services if we help them,” Tyehimba says. “I don’t mind helping, but I should have some information I can share with people seeking help […] because this is not a long-term solution. I agree that feeding people is for the short term and that programs should be accessible.”
While the city has promised to not harass PAC as it re-opens the free pantry to the public, tighter ordinance related to homelessness has become commonplace across the state in the last decade. Anti-homeless sentiment has overtaken systems in Houston and Austin; accordingly, many municipalities antagonize both houseless folk and the mutual aid groups that support them. Houston in particular has been at odds with the city’s chapter of Food Not Bombs for years. And despite a jury ruling that the city’s homeless ordinance is unconstitutional, the City of Houston claims they will continue to legally pursue violations committed by Food Not Bombs.
As well as providing a community fridge and pantry – which is in need of donations in its re-establishment – Pan-African Connection is a bookstore, market, clothing store, art gallery, and resource center serving residents of Southern Dallas. A distinct community staple and a truly welcoming space, it is passionately run by Tyehimba and has operated since 1989. The establishment provides both a characteristic warmth and educative luminosity to community members through various channels and mediums.
Dallas, in many ways, is a bastion of sanctuary for the impoverished among major Texan cities. Its ordinance outlining an approach to homelessness is arguably the least antagonistic to the demographic. However, this is attributable to the work of mutual aid groups and religious organizations, showing determination to push back against anti-homeless ordinance proposals. Without pushback, Dallas would likely be indistinguishable from the rest of the state in its response to extreme poverty.
In forbidding community services for homeless, cities hurt the working class as well. Struggling families are often dependent on food from community fridges and pantries, especially as food stamps become less effective. In their function, community fridges serve the food insecure, whether they are homeless or not.
“There’s not really a lot of homelessness in this area. Really, 50% of the people we service here are Hispanic families who don’t have access to all of the services you or I may have,” Tyehimba says. “Certain families don’t have the privilege of SNAP or WIC benefits, so they need a little help. And they’re so grateful. This area is definitely in need.”
Code Enforcement came amidst the takeover of new management at Glendale Shopping Center and the area has been a growing prospect for economic development. As the southern sector has become a hotspot for gentrification in the city, real estate developers have begun buying off both residential and commercial properties.
Developers hope to present a more sterile vision of the area, and therefore, the community fridge is perceived as attracting the blighted presence of houseless neighbors. As mutual aid groups see food as a human right, this places them at odds with companies hoping to foster middle-class growth (and thereby the erasure and displacement of poorer communities.)
“It’s a material reality for people that they need food. Mutual aid is very important and in an area like South Dallas. There’s definitely a need for it,” Tyehimba says. “You may not see a lot of homeless people here, but the poverty is still there. There are a lot of group homes in this area that have a lot of people that don’t get enough food and don’t have as much money. “
While the community fridge has returned to operate at its rightful place outside PAC as of last Saturday, it is in dire need of donations. Accepting dry foods, refrigerated items, and other necessities, the pantry provides sustenance for both community members experiencing housing insecurity and families struggling to make ends meet.
As well as providing a crucial resource to the public, PAC hosts community events like the back-to-school drive this coming weekend.
“We have a back-to-school event where we are collecting school supplies and backpacks, preferably clear backpacks,” Tyehimba says. “It starts at one o’clock on Saturday. It’s free and open to the public. It’s just a fun event and we can always use more donations.”
To donate food to the community pantry, bring refrigerated items, dry foods, and cookable meals (instant noodles or canned goods) to Pan-African Connection at 4466 S Marsalis Ave at any time. Visit at 1 pm this Saturday, Aug. 5, to donate or receive items from Pan-African Connection’s Community Back-To-School Event.