Davey1965's Blogs

Yes or No to feeding the Homeless

Davey1965 Blog Last Activity 9 years ago 525 views 16 comments
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letsGO
9 years ago

and the SAD thing is, most I meet and help are veterans

letsGO
9 years ago

Obama isn't feeding them, I try to give whatever change or cash I have, I use debit card not much cash in my pocket...but I do ask what they need before I go in the store and bring it out for them using my card...I try...no cig's or alcohol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mophead2009
9 years ago

food a sandwich or a hot drink

9 years ago

it is to smile, talk if you want, give money if you want, but never feel that you have to. Right on scotty, (braedan)To fight for the right for people who are entitled to a good life not only within the west but also the world.

9 years ago

always help others worst off than you

9 years ago

I agree we should feed those less fortunate than ourselves. At the same time I understand the concerns of the businesses and people that live in the area to be free from people begging or disrupting things. It is a hard trade off to make. I personally think the law is treating a symptom and not the cause. The issues of homelessness in the US grows larger each day and we do nothing to solve the underlying issues of jobs, affordable living places and those that cannot fend for themselves due to health issues.

9 years ago

Sickening. I'll never understand why we can't just share everything on this planet. Poverty, hunger and related problems like homelessness are just inexcusable, its inexcusable that they exist, that they're allowed to exist, that they aren't priority number one for governments everywhere, instead of all the pathetic grasping after power, the vanity, the greed that motivates so much politics.

9 years ago

for sure feed them... they can arrest me

Davey1965
9 years ago

anybody that arrested me for feeding a hungry stranger needs there head read..As he was taking me away i would be sure to tell him that ...Even tho you are arresting me i will sleep tonight knowing that that person ate today and was grateful for something to eat

9 years ago

Thanks for bringing this important issue to the forefront Davey. I knew that, for various reasons, homelessness was increasing, even at an all time high in America. But I wasn't aware of these 'anti-feeding' legal efforts across the country were happening! Makes me feel ashamed to be an American. How ppl can be so cold is beyond my grasp. I hope the ACLU and other organizations step in to put a stop to these laws of cruelity. Everyone deserves a helping hand when they're down and out. These ppl need fed. There are organizationa and ppl that want to feed them....so let them!

9 years ago

Yes

nate88
9 years ago

FEED THEM - YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

gm4yngr
9 years ago

Maybe instead of passing laws against the homeless, they should take action to help them. I don't know of any homeless people where I live but I would give them food and help them to better their lives in any way that I could.

Davey1965
9 years ago

Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in Florida, a 90-year-old man said he's not deterred and even went back out to serve more food at a public park.

The faceoff in Fort Lauderdale over the ordinance restricting public feeding of the homeless has pitted those with compassionate aims against residents and businesses trying to protect their neighbourhoods.

Arnold Abbott, affectionately known as "Chef Arnold," and two ministers were charged last weekend as they handed out food. They were accused of breaking the ordinance and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

"One of the police officers said, 'Drop that plate right now,' as if I were carrying a weapon," Abbott said.

Fort Lauderdale is the latest US city to pass restrictions on feeding homeless people in public places. Advocates for the homeless say the cities are fighting to control increasing homeless populations but that simply passing ordinances doesn't work because they don't address the root causes.

On Wednesday night, Abbott and others served a four-course meal by the beach as police filmed from a distance and a crowd of nearly 100 mostly homeless and volunteers cheered their arrival.

Abbott, a World War II veteran and civil rights activist, told The Associated Press that he has been serving the homeless for more than two decades in honour of his late wife. He has several programmes, including a culinary school to train the homeless and help find them jobs in local kitchens.

Several police officers watched and allowed Abbott's crew to feed everyone before issuing Abbott another citation.

In the past two years, more than 30 cities have tried to introduce laws similar to Fort Lauderdale's, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. The efforts come as more veterans face homelessness and after two harsh winters drove homeless people south, especially to Florida.

Mayor Jack Seiler said he thinks Abbott and pastors Dwayne Black and Mark Sims have good intentions, but the city can't discriminate in enforcing the law. He said it was passed to ensure that public places are open to everyone. He also stressed that the city was working with local charities to help serve the homeless through indoor feedings and programs that get them medical care and long-term help.

"The parks have just been overrun and were inaccessible to locals and businesses," Seiler said.

Police said the men were not taken into custody and were given notices to appear in court, where the matter will be decided by a judge.

Abbott fought a similar ordinance in court 15 years ago and said he's prepared to mount another legal challenge.

Fort Lauderdale's ordinance took effect Friday, and the city passed a slew of laws addressing homelessness in recent months. They ban people from leaving their belongings unattended, outlaw panhandling at medians and strengthen defecation and urination laws, according to Michael Stoops, director of community organizing for the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Other cities are conducting routine homeless sweeps while some have launched anti-panhandling campaigns, according to the coalition. And many laws continue to target public feedings.

- AP

Davey1965
9 years ago

I read this article recently an wondered what others think...We could easily say GET A JOB but do we really know there circumstances .....