A report called “Feeding Intolerance,” which was completed by the National Coalition for the Homeless and National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, explored the restrictions being placed on food donations to shelters.
Even though this study is from 2007, it’s still pertinent given that it illustrates the trends.
While the 26-page report is too long to reproduce, here are the main highlights, which are not limited to these cities.
Atlanta, Georgia
In 2003, Atlanta implemented a homeless “service provider system.” This system designates eight organizations to oversee all the distribution of food to homeless people in the city. Anyone whom wants to donate food to the homeless, has to go through one of the eight organizations.
Baltimore, MD
A health code ordinance requires every food service facility to obtain a food license, whether the food is provided for a fee or at no cost.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Ordinances in Cincinnati reveal that patrons must obtain a permit for park gatherings of 50 or more. On top of that, the Cincinnati Park Board established a policy requiring any group wanting to undertake “outreach ministries” in a city park must acquire a special permit.
While minimal regulation would be acceptable, it seems as though with what occurred in Louisiana, New York (with Mayor Bloomberg creating new rules on donations) and the various cities in the report, it’s seems as though government entities could eventually contribute to socializing individuals out of giving.
Hopefully, laws can be changed to reflect the generosity of private charities.
“I think a lot of cities have the misguided notion that when people give food to homeless individuals where they’re living, that somehow that’s perpetuating homelessness,” said NLCHP lawyer Tulin Ozdeger.
“Cities are making [homelessness] worse by essentially discouraging what private resources are out there to help solve the problem,” Ozdeger also stated.
“Cities don’t have enough resources to deal with the issue, so they should be looking to other resources,” Ozdeger said.
Edited by Madison Ruppert
More at EndtheLie.com – http://EndtheLie.com/2013/03/01/louisiana-health-officials-order-shelter-to-throw-away-1600-pounds-of-donated-meat/#ixzz2MiOeqiQ5