Whiteaker discusses Breakfast Brigade permit challenges

from KEPW News and the Whiteaker Community Council

DJ Suss D: In a contentious meeting on Sept. 11, Burrito Brigade co-founder Jennifer Denson addressed the Whiteaker Community Council regarding a letter they wrote to the Eugene City Council requesting all permits to feed people at Washington Jefferson Park be revoked, citing security issues.

Jennifer Denson (Burrito Brigade): This has been the most uncomfortable week I’ve had in a while, because people are not listening and they’re making judgments on having two pieces of a puzzle of a 100-piece puzzle.

[00:00:33] So, good evening. My name is Jennifer Benson. Pronouns are she and her. I am the executive director of Burrito Brigade. Some of you know me. I’ve been involved with the organization since the beginning, for 10 years.

[00:00:46] I met with some other members of the Whiteaker Community Council obviously a few weeks ago to discuss concerns they had and to look into solutions to the concerns that the neighbors had for Washington Jefferson Park.

[00:01:00] I obviously am a solution-oriented person; obviously, I’ve been doing this a while. And I wanted things to be better. Neighbors expressed concerns to the Whiteaker Community Council for about the amounts of crime and sex trafficking that had increased in the park, and the increase in garbage in the park and surrounding areas. We are aware that there was a marked increase because of the amount of people in the park since the recent sweeps on the railroad. Completely aware.

[00:01:30] In collaboration with the Whiteaker Community Council, we tried to find a solution multiple times to help move, either move food around to more hungry people or to release some pressure from the Whittaker, such as going mobile, we had offered multiple ideas, choosing different locations on different days, also keeping, well, keeping a day in Washington Jefferson (Park) always.

[00:02:00] And we still do burritos on the weekends. So just to clarify with people that think that the Whiteaker Community Council is against food in the park:  In collaboration with the Whiteaker Community Council, we approached with the compromises and solutions. Breakfast crew was not willing to adjust their service schedule or any adaptations.

[00:02:21] The permit to feed at Washington Jefferson Park was lost due to non-compliance with the city, which was in motion already the day before this letter from Margaret went out. This happened with my knowledge, after I was informed. (See the complete letter below)

[00:02:37] Due to the other concerns along with the permit revocation, the Burrito Brigade board voted on Sunday for our contract to end with Breakfast Brigade because of the liability issues.

[00:02:50] The decision to pull our support for the Breakfast Crew goes everything against Burrito Brigade and myself, purposefully stand for. This has been a very hard week. We were hopeful that a solution would be reached and we will continue our efforts to feed people and remove barriers to access, but we can’t do it when everything is made more difficult.

[00:03:11] DJ Suss D: For KEPW News. I’m DJ Suss D.

from the Whiteaker Community Council

The Whiteaker Community Council (WCC) has proudly served the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene for 50 years, acting as a cornerstone for our community. Our mission is to uplift and empower residents, especially those who have faced social and economic challenges. Through our commitment to art, education, public health, and sustainable economic development, we strive to foster a vibrant and inclusive environment. 

WCC is grateful for the support of partners which allow us to implement impactful programs. For instance, in collaboration with FEMA, the Oregon Health Authority, White Bird, HIV Alliance, Eugene Mission, and Lane County Public Health, we hosted 16 COVID-19 Wellness Clinics. Thanks to these efforts, we vaccinated 1,364 individuals, including 115 children, distributed hundreds of food boxes, and provided essential health services.

We also offered PPE, COVID tests, and hand sanitizer stations to both businesses and community members, along with gift cards to local businesses, helping many during the pandemic. Additionally, we placed free-standing handwashing sinks at the City of Eugene Skinner Farm Safe Sleep site for community residents. 

In another collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority, we provided $235,000 in rental assistance, supporting 61 families. This assistance helped keep 45 children stable in their homes, ensuring continuity in their education and offering them a better chance for mental and emotional well-being. We were able to halt or reverse evictions for 11 families and transition nine families from living in cars or on the streets to stable housing. 

These examples highlight the vital work WCC is doing in our neighborhood. It is deeply important to us that everyone has access to the resources they need.

During our recent WCC General Meeting, we discussed the Breakfast Brigade’s permit challenges with the City of Eugene, which arose from violations of the permit terms. Our goal has always been to find solutions that allow the Breakfast Brigade to continue their invaluable work in a safe and compliant manner. 

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the 100+ community members who attended the WCC Hybrid General Meeting on Sept. 11, 2024. Special thanks to Jennifer Denson of Burrito Brigade, Lisa Levsen of Breakfast Brigade, Hybrid Gallery for providing community space, Kelly Shadwick, Lyndsie Leech, Emily Semple from the city of Eugene, and all the dedicated volunteers who serve our vulnerable populations. Your insights and experiences enrich our community and guide our efforts to support both the unhoused and housed residents. The meeting brought to light the complexities we face, while also inspiring us with ideas to continue to enhance our community’s resilience and compassion. 

See also: City councilors invited to see growing numbers served by Breakfast Brigade