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Sep 17, 2009 9:51 am US/Central
Dallas Law Stops Charities From Feeding Homeless
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Most people will likely acknowledge that feeding the homeless is a noble cause, but in Dallas, it is illegal if it is not done in one of four designated areas. The city calls it a health and safety issue. They simply can't allow people to set up portable food centers anywhere.
But many homeless people in Dallas say they depend on these 'crimes of compassion.' For some, a smile and a meal is all it takes to get through the night. As one homeless man said, "During the week, it's either these guys or nowhere to eat."
Getting that free meal, however, is becoming more difficult. In May 2008, Dallas opened the Bridge. The goal was to draw the homeless to one central shelter. For those unable to get to the Bridge for meals, the shelter provides rides. But it soon became apparent that the location had more people than it could handle.
"If you don't have a bed there, you can only eat breakfast and lunch," homeless man James said about the Bridge. "Other than that, they throw you out. They throw you out in the evening. You have nowhere to go and nothing to eat."
There are several charities trying to 'bridge' that gap, like one group with the First Baptist Church of Irving. For eight years, they have set up a food line on a private lot in downtown Dallas. But they stopped when they were told that the Bridge could handle the demand.
"When they built the Bridge, they stopped it all," said homeless man Alan Berry. "They stopped everyone from coming. They scared them by writing tickets."
"I would talk to some of the homeless people and visit with them," said church member Terry Willis. "I was told they were not getting fed enough food. I felt like we had to come back out and continue to feed."
On Tuesday night, officers with the Dallas Police Department told the volunteers that they were breaking the law.
The law has caught Dallas in a dilemma.
"The idea is to maintain health and safety for our citizens," said Dilip Shah with Dallas Environmental and Health Services. "Even though the Bridge has been very successful in serving homeless people, we still cannot meet the needs for all homeless."
Along with the Bridge, there are three other designated areas for feeding the homeless: the MLK Center, Dallas Life Foundation and the Soul For Christ Ministry. The city requires that food stations meet certain health standards including running water and portable bathrooms.
Even when charities set up shop on private lots, they are still breaking the law. The city requires that all food centers, private or public, first get approval from the Environmental and Health Services department.
Those wishing to set up a legitimate food center for the homeless can call Dallas City Hall and ask for the Environmental and Health Services department.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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