Friends of
Blenman‑Elm

Blenman-Elm, Tucson, Arizona

A neighborhood worth looking after.

Friends of Blenman‑Elm (FOBE) is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the character, livability, and historic and cultural integrity of the Blenman‑Elm neighborhood: a safe, clean place to call home.

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About FOBE

Rooted in the neighborhood.

FOBE exists so that Blenman‑Elm stays a place people are proud to live in: with its streets safe and alleys clean, and its character intact for all the neighbors who live and work here. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Arizona.

Born in the early 1900s and honored on the National Register of Historic Places, Blenman-Elm carries its history gracefully.

We love Blenman-Elm. We like strolling its tree-lined streets, meeting with other neighbors, passing by houses with sun-warmed porches and desert gardens. We savor the peace and quiet of this neighborhood. We aim to preserve and protect this special neighborhood’s way of living.

Have you witnessed any incidents?

We ask neighbors to report incidents in Blenman-Elm such as fires, vandalism, threats, trash, human feces, and so on. This is created by neighbors to track these incidents for ourselves. We are working to resolve the underlying causes. [Please also report to the city, via 311 or 911, when appropriate.]

News & Updates

What's happening.

    In reverse chronological order, most recent at the top:

  • November 2026: a Court hearing has been set on the FOBE application for a Preliminary Injunction. The hearing will be on Thursday, November 5, 9 am - 5pm, at Pima County Superior Courthouse, Courtroom #480, 110 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701.
  • July 2026: GSP countersued FOBE, calling the pantry a sincere religious practice and arguing that FOBE's suit violates the First Amendment, the Arizona Constitution, and Arizona's Free Exercise of Religion Act. FOBE responded that their lawsuit is seeking the neutral application of nuisance laws.
  • June 2026: FOBE filed for a Preliminary Injunction and a Court hearing was held on the MTD. The judge ruled that an amended lawsuit by FOBE can proceed.
  • April 2026: BENA sent a letter to GSP `to formally voice concerns regarding the operational impacts' of the GSP pantry program. See a draft of this letter included in the BENA April Minutes.
  • March 2026: GSP filed a motion to dismiss (MTD) the FOBE lawsuit.
  • January 2026: Friends of Blenman-Elm (FOBE) sued GSP for public and private nuisance, seeking to stop or relocate the pantry program.
  • July/August 2025: Through neighborhood attorney Alex Winkelman, BE residents sent GSP a formal letter citing neighborhood safety concerns, supported by 15 sworn declarations, and demanding the pantry relocate or cease operations in BE. GSP’s attorneys responded that they would not move nor stop the pantry programs.
  • June 2025: A special BENA meeting was held at Ward 6 offices whose sole topic was the negative impact of the GSP pantry programs to the surrounding neighborhood.
  • May 2025: At the May BENA meeting, an overview of activities undertaken by neighbors over the last year was discussed. The neighbors continue to express their concern over the management of the GSP pantry program.

  • Feb 2025: After meeting for 6 months, the small working group disbanded, having reached an impasse. Serious problems stemming from the GSP pantry programs continue to impact the nearby neighbors.
  • Sept 2024: The President of Blenman-Elm Neighborhood Association (BENA) sent a letter to Grace St. Paul (GSP), itemizing problems stemming from the GSP Joseph Pantry program. At a community meeting, Councilwoman K. Ulich proposed creating a small working group to find a collaborative solution. Several BE residents, GSP leadership, and Ward 6 met for 6 months.

Photo Gallery

Evidence

Come back soon, we will post examples of evidence FOBE has submitted in Court documents.

Get Involved

Join your neighbors.

FOBE is run by and for the people who live here. Do you support FOBE's mission? Come join neighborhood meetings, volunteer, donate.

  • Donate to FOBE

    Support FOBE by making a tax-deductible donation. You can write a check or donate via Zelle (use #fobe-2025 tag). We are grateful to all our neighbors who donate and support our mission.

  • Volunteer

    Come to a meeting, volunteer, spread the word!

Contact

Say hello.

Questions, ideas, or concerns about the neighborhood — we'd like to hear from you.

Email
fobeorganization@gmail.com
Mailing address
1830 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 124‑152
Tucson, AZ 85719
Nonprofit status
501(c)(3) · EIN 39‑5106571