Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me:

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Well you can send us homeless but please make sure they do not bring thier appitite. Imagine that we now need to apply for a permit to feed the homeless. Our problems on homelessness in America are complex and varied. The image of a drug addict or hobo's on a train is as inacurate as it gets in todays world.

Familes and children make up a large segment of the homeless today.
Liberal estimates suggest nearly 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year, according to The National Coalition for the Homeless, findings from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, the Urban Institute, and the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers. Of the 3.5 million people experiencing homelessness, approximately 39% are homeless youth and children. Although the 3.5 million homeless people only account for 1% of the United States population, those who are living in a perpetual state of homelessness more often than not, are not shiftless or lazy, but unfortunate victims at the crux of economic and societal forces.

Last year in Orlando Florida Eric Montanez, 21, a member of Orlando's Food Not Bombs, had just finished serving food at Lake Eola Park when he was arrested for violating a city ordinance that limits the number of people you can feed at 25. The charge is a misdemeanor and a federal lawsuit has been filled on behalf of Mr. Montanez stating the city ordinance as unconstitutional.





As the problem continues to escalate we shall see a rise in such lawsuits. It is understandable that keeping the parks safe and clean is another priority of most U.S. cities but as a mater of prudence it is this writers belief that more effort can be made by city officials in providing clean up crews while non profit agencies help absorb the cost of feeding our nations homeless.


By Emily Bazar, USA TODAY

Cities are cracking down on charities that feed the homeless, adopting rules that restrict food giveaways to certain locations, require charities to get permits or limit the number of free meals they can provide.Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas and Wilmington, N.C., began enforcing such laws last year. Some are being challenged.Last November, a federal judge blocked the Las Vegas law banning food giveaways to the poor in city parks. In Dallas, two ministries are suing, arguing that the law violates religious freedom.

DALLAS HOMLESS: The 'Lord's table' deemed illegal"Going after the volunteers is new," says Michael Stoops of the National Coalition for the Homeless. "They think that by not feeding people, it will make the homeless people leave."City officials say the rules were prompted by complaints about crime and food safety. Some say they want control over locations so homeless people can also get services such as addiction counseling and job training."The feedings were happening several times a week" in parking lots and sidewalks downtown, says Dewey Harris, director of Wilmington's Community Services Department. "A lot of the merchants said, 'We feel uncomfortable when you have all these homeless being fed downtown when we're trying to attract tourists.' "Last March, the city restricted meals on public property to designated locations and required a permit. One spot has been approved: a city park parking lot.Dallas also limits outdoor food giveaways to approved locations. Those distributing food must take a food-handling course and get a city permit, says Karen Rayzer, director of environmental and health services. A violator can be fined $2,000.Orlando adopted an ordinance in July that requires a permit to serve more than 25 people in a park within 2 miles of City Hall, where most food giveaways were taking place. An applicant may serve twice a year in each park."This ordinance wasn't established to ban feeding," says city spokeswoman Heather Allebaugh. She acknowledges that some groups ignore the law.City Commissioner Robert Stuart voted against it. He is executive director of the Christian Service Center for Central Florida, which feeds 325 homeless people a day but, as private property, is not affected."It's not fair to take a population without a home and make them criminals," he says. "And I don't think we ought to be limiting the opportunity to help others."