Some food pantries in Waterbury are concerned about $150 permit fees proposed by the city of Waterbury.
Waterbury's health director wants pantries to meet the same health guidelines as soup kitchens and grocery stores. That would mean applying for a permit and paying a fee.
But Rev. Maner Tyson of Waterbury Baptist Ministries, whose small pantry feeds about 120 families a month, says one smaller church-run groups will have to close. He says some smaller pantries don't have $100 worth of food on their shelves.
Larger pantries say they'd rather spend the money on food. State food bank statistics suggest $150 would pay for about 540 meals.
