"Green Party Congressional candidate Ralph Ferrucci, et al. are scheduled to be arrested on Sunday May 30, for feeding the homeless without a permit.

Ferrucci and his organization, Food not Bombs, have been providing free food to the homeless on Sunday afternoons for the better part of a decade. On Sunday, May 23, the New Haven Parks Dept. informed the group that this activity required a permit and threatened the group with arrest if they did not shut down. Rather than risk the confiscation of the equipment used to feed the homeless and the long-term disruption of its operations, the group complied with the order of the Parks Dept.

Ferrucci estimates that the required permits would cost the group $540 per year. "Sometimes people come up and throw a couple of dollars on our table. Other than that, we don't raise any money. We pay for all of the food, the ice, the tent (which they threatened to confiscate). Now we have to pay the City of New Haven to feed it's homeless population?"

Food not Bombs provides meals to between 40 and 50 people every week. The group promises to resume its activities on Sunday, May 30 at its usual spot on the Southwest corner of the New Haven Green. The New Haven Parks Department has promised to have them arrested if they do.

Food not Bombs asks that concerned members of the community join them this Sunday. They will provide the food (as they always do) but would very much like some company this weekend. It is very important that an event such as this be witnessed. (Of course there isn't a much cooler answer to, "What did you do this weekend?" than "I got arrested for feeding the homeless without a permit.") "

OK, it sounds ridiculous on its face, but it's basically been proven that giving the homeless handouts does not help them. It just allows them to continue living that way and never pushes them to get help. Or, get real jobs, since a not insubstantial number of them just prefer that lifestyle (I'm going to get reemed for that one!!!!) The permit thing is just a method used by the government to get people to stop enabling the homeless so that they get the help they need. Now of course actually arresting someone for feeding them is perhaps a bit silly, but I understand the reasoning behind requiring a permit.

OMG - I totally disagree with you Lionel. Many people are homeless not because they are being enabled and do not have the gumption to get up and get a job, but because they lack the social skills, cleanliness, etc. to find a job. Feeding them is NOT enabling them whatsoever. I'll even go one step further and say that FEEDING SOMEONE WHO IS HUNGRY is NOT a handout in my unqualified opinon. Do you think the homeless WANT to be homeless? Do you think they like to ask for free food, clothing, donations, cardboard boxes and baskets to keep their belongings in? How very humiliating to them. Perhaps if our government cared more about its people IN THE COUNTRY instead of those OUTSIDE of the Country, we wouldn't be in the piss-poor shape we're in now.

Just what would you consider "getting the help they need" if it is not food? Government programs? Puhleeze. They are so strapped for cash even the FOOD BANK in my area has requested food and cash donations...for the first time in forever because of government cuts.

People, i.e. governments whether local/state/federal have worse things to worry about besides a bunch of helpful people feeding the homeless for crying out loud.

Rated R you should get your mother and father to go with you to the New Heaven city council meetings and ask that for the sake of these folks who have fallen on hard times to please wave the permit fee or at least lower it. Sometimes working within the system makes the system work for you. Your young you seem to have a lot of spunk, try approaching the local Minesteries Asso. Always remember were there is a will there is always a way. Now for that good and kind hearted post you may come out of your room !!!

a couple of other things to remember. The vast majority of the homeless suffer from some type of mental illness or addiction. Also many would rather sleep on the street than in crowded, TB, rodent stricken, parasite infested hostels and shelters, that fail to clean up or improve because they are not a priority. Also, many are untreated for their illnesses, so rather than lacking the gumption, they are lacking in the mental capacity to function at societies accepted levels. Do you think if someone was leaving scraps out for a stray cat or dog they would be fined or arrested? Then why should it be if they are providing nourishment for some that would otherwise go without?

wasn't it Ghandi who said
"The measure of a country's greatness should be based on how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations"??

ecoli and salmonilla can be spread if feeding isnt done right so a permit process seems ok, but it should be cheaper for non profits maybe like 35 dollars a year

the main thing is to determine if the cook is playing with a full deck etc

having a bunch of sick homeless people in er is also costly

actually I knew a homeless guy who liked being homeless. His family would offer him places to stay and when the weather was bad they would even go and pick him up but a few days later he would be gone. He wasnt on drugs or anything, he just really preffered that lifestyle

Lionel I agree with you, sorry cricket.
I worked at a labor hall and was shoulder to shoulder with homeless people on a daily basis. The ones who had a crisis that caused them to be homeless always worked out of the situation and got back on their feet. My family was very close to being homeless in 97 and we fought back and won. But the ones who chose to live the life style, and yes there are a large number. Would work and buy beer or crack and continue to live in tents or at camps in the woods near the labor hall.
I feel that a hand up is not always a handout.
I dont see why feeding fellow humans requires a permit, isnt that a little backwards?
Almost like the case of the lady who paid someone elses parking meter and was arrested. I believe that was in Cinncinati, might be remembering it wrong, so Lionel can you relay that story in short for me if I am wrong?
I know you will... ;)

Originally posted by Beirut_Veteran

Almost like the case of the lady who paid someone elses parking meter and was arrested. I believe that was in Cinncinati, might be remembering it wrong, so Lionel can you relay that story in short for me if I am wrong?
I know you will... ;)

Yep, that was in Cincinnati. I guess she liked going out with a bunch of nickels and plugging meters for people and she got arrested. I can't remember if she was doing it to be nice or if it was an anti-police sort of protest.