City puts a stop to homeless outreach

[ksu_aviator]

"bad government results from too much government"

And chaos results from too little :shrug:

Not necessarily. We had less government everyday before this day. You can even make that statement tomorrow and the next day and the next day. Government is constantly growing and I don't think anyone here can make the statement that today is chaotic.

 

[Barbbtx]

Everyone needs to stop for a moment and re-read the article.
No where does it state that the city closed ALL facilities - the homeless are still being provided with food from other sources.

The issue is the permit - no matter what you are doing there are rules and regulations that MUST be followed. You don't get a 'don't follow the ordinances' card JUST because you're helping people out as Connie Boyd (president of the coalition for the Homeless explains)

So - The Herrings can join an already existing and permitted organization - and still help out JUST as much.

Wanda Adams and her ilk can then focus on appealing, amending or rewriting the ordinances that seem to make helping a bit more complicated.

Ok - not the end of the world.
They can still help.
Maybe things will change because of this.

But Houston's not some sort of heartless town who wants people to starve to death :shrug:

The issue is this.
Anyone serving food for public consumption, whether for the homeless or for sale, must have a permit, said Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services Department. To get that permit, the food must be prepared in a certified kitchen with a certified food manager.

Even if they manage to do all this, what about other people who would like to start out the same way this couple did. I believe they started with just the two of them cooking for the homeless in their own kitchen.
I think it's a shame when charitable giving of time, and food is made illegal.
People are always saying we need the government to take care of the poor because there aren't enough charities to help, that would make much of a difference. Well duh, with crap like this, it is no wonder.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

Not necessarily. We had less government everyday before this day. You can even make that statement tomorrow and the next day and the next day. Government is constantly growing and I don't think anyone here can make the statement that today is chaotic.

How does that make my statement any less true?

It sure sounded pretty damned chaotic in Tuscon last week.

 

[ksu_aviator]

How does that make my statement any less true?

It sure sounded pretty damned chaotic in Tuscon last week.

Oh please. A momentary and isolated incident does not make a chaotic country.

 

[Barbbtx]

There's no reason for them to have to form their own organization or business to help, anyway.

Why isn't it acceptable for them to simply join an existing and permit-having organization and still help? They could do the same exact thing in the same exact area and leave the nitpicky legal issues to others who already have the knowledge and means to secure the paperwork and necessary forms.

I know first hand that running a business or non-profit organization by yourself is a pain in the butt - no matter what it's purpose.
If you have someone who knows the legality hoops and is WILLING to help you then it's stupidity to NOT take their help.

It would be foolish of the Herrings to stop pursuing this matter altogether and just sit at home and do nothing when the opportunity to join and help is being extended to them from others.

I think Wanda's on the right track: reform the ordinances.
But in the meantime no one should demand that a city ignore rules and regulations to appease people's feelings.

Yea, people are stupid and they need to join some organization the government approves before they are permitted to feed homeless people.
They must do it the right way or not at all. Geez... I'm sick of people who think we must have government regulating every aspect of our lives because we are too damn stupid to know how to do things without them. I bet the next thing they'll be doing is making sure all food fed to the homeless meets specific guidlines and has the right amount of calories, vitamins, carbs, and proteins etc.

 

[Albert Di Salvo]

My hometown also requires a permit for anyone wanting to serve free food to the homeless. What's curious is that they don't require permits for illegal aliens who push food carts around neighborhoods selling hot food to people.

 

[Barbbtx]

Ya know, I'm just thinking.
What business is it of anyone if a group of people wants to prepare and serve food to another group of people.
Are they going to outlaw picnics or family reunions in the parks?

If this is about homeless gathering and people complaining, then they should come out and say that.

 

[Jerry]

Houston permit rule stops couple's effort to feed homeless | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

For SHAME Houston, FOR SHAME.

I agree with the ordinance and am glad the charity will likely find a permitted kitchen.

I'll bet a local church either has or is willing to remodel an existing kitchen to comply with the permit. A ServeSafe certification is fairly cheap, also, and only the "manager" has to have one. The manager can appoint various subordinates to do the actual cooking. Those subordinates do not have to posses the certification, they just need to show that their manager trained them in food safety in some way.

This is a blessing in disguise, I believe, as it will enable the charity to feed more people in the long run.

 

[jamesrage]

Ya know, I'm just thinking.
What business is it of anyone if a group of people wants to prepare and serve food to another group of people. .

So if your neighbor decided to open up a soup kitchen next to your house or place of business you would be cool with it or say oh well its none of my damn business?

If this is about homeless gathering and people complaining, then they should come out and say that

They might have and felt that this was a better approach.

 

[Jerry]

Any law that attempts to make the selfless act of assisting others a crime, and further worsens the lives of those in need, is an unjust law that should not be considered nor followed. Mabye if government administrators actually cared more about people then they do laws, they would just build public food shelters for the homeless rather than punishing an innocent couple.

IMO this is on the level of requiring a church to use a building which has passed basic inspections before inviting the homeless to stay there.

Or, this is like the state requiring a church to use a vehicle with valid registration and insurance, operated by a licensed driver, before offering free rides to medical appointments to the needy.

 

[Barbbtx]

So if your neighbor decided to open up a soup kitchen next to your house or place of business you would be cool with it or say oh well its none of my damn business?




They might have and felt that this was a better approach.

Yes I would be fine with a soup kitchen next to my place of business.
My home, if it was zoned for it, sure.
If the homeless can legally be where they are when people deliver food and sleeping bags to them, I don't see why they are being told to shut down their program.
It's just more government interference.

 

[ksu_aviator]

I can understand if these people where a soup kitchen. But this doesn't even arise to that level. It is just two people handing out food to homeless people. Let the good be good.

 

[Jerry]

Damn I was really hoping this thread would take off.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

Damn I was really hoping this thread would take off.

It did

Unfortunately it succumbed quickly to Newton Drag.

 

[Cameron]

Maybe they are worried about charities skimping on safety precautions so they can pocket donation money? Presumably, as long as they can certify that the food was prepared correctly, they can get their permit. How hard could that be?

 

[danarhea]

Houston permit rule stops couple's effort to feed homeless | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

For SHAME Houston, FOR SHAME.

I agree. There are lots of homeless in Houston, and the city is pretty much making it a crime to be homeless. That's how they are "solving" the homeless problem. Tent cities have been torn down, and many homeless have been forced to flee to the country. In my last band, we used to do a benefit each year in Montgomery county, where there is a tent city in the middle of a field. They prefer that instead of Harris County Jail, which is where some of the homeless end up, when police conduct their occasional sweeps.

Want to know what really pisses me off? The same people who are making homelessness a criminal offense go to church every Sunday and worship a Jesus who, when he returns, will tell them "I never knew you".

 

[Jerry]

Well I guess if they can tell 'you have to have medical insurance' then they can tell you 'you have to have a home'.