Last August, Columbia, South Carolina approved a plan to force its homeless population to leave downtown or be arrested. Now the city wants to restrict charities that feed the homeless. It will begin to strictly enforce a seldom-used ordinance requiring groups of 25 or more to obtain a permit and pay a hefty fee before congregating in a public park. One affected charity, Food Not Bombs, has been serving food to homeless people in a local park every Sunday for 12 years. But with the new crackdown, the group will have to pay at least $120 per week for the right to feed the homeless. City officials believe that if charities continue to provide food in downtown parks, homeless people may continue to live downtown, rather than leave.
Source: Think Progress, 2/13/14, Stop Feeding Homeless People
As one who works with food not bombs in Hartford, CT, this is both disheartening and depressing. I see the faces of all who come to Bushnell Park every Sunday for a hot meal, not only because they are hungry but to experience the sense of comradery, the sense of community. The members of FNB in Columbia and the recipients are in my thoughts and prayers.
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