# Feeding the Homeless is Against the Law **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 25, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152 "2013-08-25T20:27:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/41 "2013-08-26T06:04:09Z")
Just guessing, but roughly a thousand miles, more or less. Couple three days Greyhound, my church could be there. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/42 "2013-08-26T11:28:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Just guessing, but roughly a thousand miles, more or less. Couple three days Greyhound, my church could be there. Sorry-I thought you might be directly involved with that group. Looking into nearby churches that could open their doors to feed the homeless. we have Unity Church Of The Triangle next to the park itself, and within a few blocks of the park we have Raleigh Anglican Fellowship, Mt. Sinai Holy Church Of America, Dave Street Presbyterian Church, and the United House Of Prayer. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/43 "2013-08-26T12:07:00Z")
The surprise enforcement could have been started by, perhaps, the police chief who may have political aspirations and decided the political climate of the state indicated that now would be a good time for him to do this. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/44 "2013-08-26T13:30:50Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Crazy and homeless, sure, but they had something to look forward to that morning, and then suddenly they didn’t. That’s just plain mean. My eloquence escapes me this morning so please forgive if this comes off as sweeping or otherwise incompletely descriptive of Them Homeless: the crazy people I know (I’m thinking of 8 individuals at the moment) _really_ get thrown when their routine is interrupted. Not thrown as in, “Huh, line at Starbucks is a bit long this morning, guess I’ll just go to McDonalds,” but thrown as in, “WHHHAARRRRR!!! That’s it! This is it! They’re trying to starve us! Next step is they give us all $250 and bus tickets to Las Vegas but we end up in a concentration camp in New Mexico! And if we don’t go willingly, they’ll drug the food and ship us off there while we’re unconscious!” That sounded like hyperbole. It wasn’t. It’s my son in 20 years. My point: It’s not just mean to make people stay hungry, sometimes it’s beyond cruel to interrupt someone’s already fragile schedule. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/45 "2013-08-26T13:56:02Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Sorry-I thought you might be directly involved with that group. > > Looking into nearby churches that could open their doors to feed the homeless. we have Unity Church Of The Triangle next to the park itself, and within a few blocks of the park we have Raleigh Anglican Fellowship, Mt. Sinai Holy Church Of America, Dave Street Presbyterian Church, and the United House Of Prayer. Those churches could, but they don’t. Now what? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/46 "2013-08-26T14:02:11Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > The surprise enforcement could have been started by, perhaps, the police chief who may have political aspirations and decided the political climate of the state indicated that now would be a good time for him to do this. The [police chief](http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/31/2646370/deck-brown-named-raleighs-first.html) in Raleigh is not a him. She’s only been in the job for eight months, and from her public statements thus far, she doesn’t sound like someone who would initiate a crackdown on the homeless. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/47 "2013-08-26T14:05:49Z")
Hence the “perhaps” - it didn’t have to be the mayor or city council behind a law enforcement issue. It sounds heartening that, so far at least, it doesn’t appear to be anyone high up in the government behind those actions and thus probably not a shift in overall attitude. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/48 "2013-08-26T14:35:30Z")
> [@C3](#): > > Those churches could, but they don’t. Now what? I can’t seem to find out if any of the churches I listed are among the ones that work with Love Wins Ministries to feed the homeless. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/49 "2013-08-26T14:44:45Z")
They still need a permit to do this in the park though? Or has that been waived or granted permanently? (Around here you need a permit to have more than 50 people at a park event, family picnic or otherwise.) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/50 "2013-08-26T14:52:46Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > [North Carolina is going down the toilet.](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/opinion/the-decline-of-north-carolina.html?_r=0) {New York Times article. Clicking may affect your monthly quota.} > > Essentially:And more. What a completely biased article that was. The moron that wrote it apparently didn’t bother to read the article in his own paper that he cited. The cuts were made to reduce the burden of debt on every taxpayer in the state. > [@](#): > > North Carolina, which has the fifth-highest jobless rate in the nation, at 8.8 percent, acted in an attempt to eliminate a debt to the federal government of more than $2 billion, legislators said. > > Along with the reductions in unemployment benefits, the state imposed higher taxes on businesses. The changes are expected to help North Carolina pay off its debt to Washington in 2015, three years earlier than first planned. > > “We’re responsible for making sure that all North Carolinians have a sound state government,” said State Representative George Cleveland, a Republican sponsor of the proposal, which won bipartisan backing. “This was a necessary step in that direction.” But hey, who cares about facts when you get to run your mouth about the ebbul ol’ wascally wepublicans? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/51 "2013-08-26T16:52:38Z")
What’s that you say? It would reduce the burden on taxpayers? Well, that changes everything! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/52 "2013-08-26T16:57:13Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > What a completely biased article that was. The moron that wrote it apparently didn’t bother to read the article in his own paper that he cited. The cuts were made to reduce the burden of debt on every taxpayer in the state. > > But hey, who cares about facts when you get to run your mouth about the ebbul ol’ wascally wepublicans? And I’m sure the increase in business taxes was just as financially devastating as reducing unemployment benefits. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/53 "2013-08-27T00:22:51Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The article Czarcasm linked says they were enforcing a city ordinance, so it has nothing to do with State level assholery. > I really don’t get why anyone thinks you are remotely amusing, let alone “pithy”. I am sure your forthcoming “pithy” puns will show me. I think he’s amusing. I hate pithy, especially with frogs. And your whiteout is chicken shit just like real chickenshit.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/54 "2013-08-27T09:28:39Z")
**Flatlined** , I want you to understand the reason behind my earlier satire. Too often the reason behinds these type of ordinances are the _same_ as ordinances enacted when a municipality has too many raccoons. I was satirizing the dehumanizing aspect. Which, I think, is apropos. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/55 "2013-08-27T10:20:22Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > The article Czarcasm linked says they were enforcing a city ordinance, so it has nothing to do with State level assholery. I daresay the latter would prefer some variation of poisoning pigeons in the park. > [@](#): > > I really don’t get why anyone thinks you are remotely amusing, let alone “pithy”. I am sure your forthcoming “pithy” puns will show me. I find luci brilliant. > [@elucidator](#): > > [Totally aside]: So, quoting **CarmelKorn** , I notice that he coded something as “white” text and it didn’t show up on my monitor. I’m wondering if that happens to everybody?[/TA] On some boards that would result in instant perma-banning so fast it would make you blink. > [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I’ve heard about similar actions in other places. One reason that’s been given is that the food providers don’t have proper training to handle food safely, and I believe that there’s something to that. There were similar complaints about the loaves and fishes. > [@flatlined](#): > > **armedmonkey** I think you should have given credit to the person who wrote that about feeding wildlife. Yeah, I know you think its funny, but I don’t and others might not either. I do. > [@flatlined](#): > > …and a crowd of mostly mentally ill people are scary to them. Must resist… Political jibe… Re… ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/56 "2013-08-27T14:05:09Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > On some boards that would result in instant perma-banning so fast it would make you blink Sound like some real rouugh and tumble boards. It was just a little joke. If you find “jesus is my favourite jewboy” brilliant then I am happy to not be amusing to you. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/57 "2013-08-27T14:49:45Z")
Don’t read 'em. Name is right up top there. My posts pour sand in your panties, pick up your little basket and skip along, skip along. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/58 "2013-08-27T14:57:56Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > What a completely biased article that was. The moron that wrote it apparently didn’t bother to read the article in his own paper that he cited. The cuts were made to reduce the burden of debt on every taxpayer in the state. > > But hey, who cares about facts when you get to run your mouth about the ebbul ol’ wascally wepublicans? So was restricting voting the moment the Supreme Court struck down the Voting Rights act and hiding abortion regulations in a motorcycle bill also to reduce the burden of debt on taxpayers? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/59 "2013-08-27T14:58:24Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > …On some boards that would result in instant perma-banning so fast it would make you blink… My curious bump is itching. Don’t get it, don’t like it when I don’t get it. On my screen, that part was invisible, only saw it because the “quote” thingy reveals code. Does that mean its the same for everybody else, they don’t see those “white” words because they are invisible? First, why would anybody do that, if it means your words won’t be read. Simpler to just not type them, yes? And second, why would anybody care if you did? I mean, I can see how someone might be mildly perplexed, but banned? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152/60 "2013-08-27T15:34:03Z")
I didn’t see it, and wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t mentioned it. I don’t make a habit of selecting posts with my mouse to search for hidden clues, but maybe I should start. As to why, I can’t say. I’m with Socrates: the unexamined snark is not worth giving. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feeding-the-homeless-is-against-the-law/667152.md?page=4)