Food Fights: Homeless Ministries Respond to Restrictions
AP2012Food Fights: Homeless Ministries Respond to Restrictions
A wave of anti-feeding laws enforced this summer in cities nationwide has met with mixed sentiments from homeless ministries.
In Dallas, those interested in feeding the homeless must first become certified via a city-run food handlers' class. Denver has banned eating and sleeping on public property without permission. And Philadelphia ministries are up in arms over a recent ban on feeding the homeless in city parks.
Brian Jenkins, head of Chosen 300 Ministries, and two other pastors filed suit in July, alleging the city's action violates their First Amendment rights. A federal district judge has blocked the ban until after a trial early next year.
"These folks are a community," said Jenkins, "and it's our responsibility to help them where they're at."
Other homeless advocates believe the wave of restrictions is a good thing that will lead to the homeless being helped more holistically.
Jim Lewis, president and CEO of Long Beach Rescue Mission in California, says the recent government-enforced elimination of a parking turnout used to feed the homeless in Long Beach's Lincoln Park will help steer the homeless toward indoor facilities equipped with chapels and restorative resources.
"We're called to disciple, and hospitality is one of the most immanent ways of expressing the love of Christ," Lewis said. "The community needs to incentivize individuals to take a step in a different direction."
Robert Lupton, president and CEO of Atlanta-based FCS Ministries and author of 2011's Toxic Charity, says the best response is for churches to open their doors to provide relational support and encouragement, leading toward drug treatment and job training.
"The absolute worst response is loading your trunk with sandwiches and taking your youth group downtown to pass [them] out," he said. "That simply increases dependency. There's no accountability and nothing developmental in that approach."
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J Thomas
Civil disobedience is necessary here. Dare these politicians stand against a unified church who insists on meeting the needs of the destitute? Will they bring squads with riot gear down to ascend on church workers feeding the needy? Let them come. Let them show America what these politicians desire. Let them show American people just what has happened to our communities and how oppressive our government has become. Not only will they oppress the poor, but they'll oppress the good Samaritan as well. Let's get out our iPhones and videotape them brutalizing people for feeding the poor. The church must be unified in this. I have worked with the needy for a long time, and some of these folks are incapable of providing for themselves. There are mentally ill folks out there who are just tossed to the wind. We need to be able to fill in the gap for them and help them with such a basic need as food.
Mark Matthias
Today's events are prophetically warranted. We have been given so much information about what to expect in these last days. "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." The church is not doing its job and are consequently falling like dominoes. We are surrounded by men who are, "holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power." Yet it is increasingly clear that our Lord is at the door. In the mean time we do His work, which certainly includes helping those in need, regardless of insensitive politics.
David Apple
Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, has ministered to its homeless neighbors since 1984 by providing relationships and hospitality inside the church. The ministry itself is simple: come to the table together; sit, eat, and talk. The philosophy of ministry, too, is simple: show up, build trust, offer hope. No gimmicks, no hype, no pressure. It is a ministry of faith that has one paid staff and over one hundred unpaid staff. And through this ministry many, many homeless and addicted persons have not only let Jesus do business with their addictions, but with their entire lives. Because of the healthy relationships established, a good number view Tenth as a safe place to come and have become members here and at other Bible believing churches. Tenth's model is to invite the stranger in and turn him/her into a guest, removing any stigma, and loving them in the name of Jesus. Because of this ministry, Tenth's body life has become richer.