When I arrived I was overwhelmed with the volume of food they had to offer and let me assure you, so were the homeless. Fried Chicken, Cole Slaw, Chopped Baked Potatoes, Ham, Rolls, Brownies and a huge tray of Desert.
When I arrived, one of the women who stays at the Tent City was there with her Mother and Child. When I spoke with the Mother she stated she was just days away from having to move there herself because of the economy. The scary part, the Mother is raising the Grandchild.
Times are clearly tough on many. So much so, there were two or three new tents set up since I was there last Sunday.
I have had several conversations with local officials recently on this matter and I'm reaching out to our readers for their opinion on this matter. You see, our public officials have an entirely different point of view on the homeless and I have to admit, they make a good point.
They are asking me to deliver all of the food to a certain shelter to encourage the homeless to come there instead. They'd like these people to live at the shelter in the hopes of helping them rehabilitate their lives. They can house and feed the homeless and at the same time check their backgrounds to make sure they are not wanted here or in any other state.
There are conditions to living in these shelters. You can't be high or intoxicated. Public officials do not want the public handing them any money because "you know where that money goes". Again, I have to agree. Some might say the money we give could go to food and so forth but I think we can all pretty much agree that its going elsewhere for the most part.
Now, as far as the food goes. Well, there's certain conditions for making such donations. When it comes to dealing with Health Department issues things get somewhat complicated. Those who are donating the bulk food don't want to be bothered by the Health Department and would like to remain anonymous, I can't blame them. The last thing I want to do is bring, (as in this case) trays of food that could easily feed 30 to 40 people being thrown out, period. I happen to know the food was stored properly. So I'm in a catch 22 on this matter and I need your help.
We want to help the homeless but we also want to do what's right. I need your opinion on this matter and I hope you take a few minutes to reply with a comment. I look forward to hearing from you.
Again, Salisbury News would like to thank every one who is participating in the gift of food for those who need it most.
26 comments:
Joe, Having dealt with the local health dept at a local school function. I believe you should continue to give the food directly to the folks who need it. Unfortunatly you are correct and most of the donations you are receiving would be thrown out. Not saying some of their points may be valid but a little overkill.
We all appreciate the time and effort you take to car for those in need. Many could learn from your example.
are there shelters in Wicomico Co. that take families? You mentioned a child may be in the tent city soon? I have heard of a mother with 3 young children in FL that will be homeless and no car to shelter her and the shelters there do not take children. My opinion regarding the distribution of food--Joe, keep up the good work! Thank you to those that have graciously provided the food. I understand their desire to be unknown. GOD knows, that is all that matters. As cold weather is heading our way in the next month or so, I pray the folks in tent city are able to find a way to insulate themselves or find a way they can keep their families together through a chariable group. My prayers are with these folks; I could be there but for the grace of GOD. We don't know what tomorrow brings. Any one of else could be in the situation at any time.
I think the people in tent city are there because they don't want to go to a shelter, and the food you are able to take to them may be the only food they get. I think you should continue.
I had my wedding catered a location in Salisbury and I requested for the leftover food to be boxed up to take to a shelter, and was advised because of health violations it wasn't allowed, and that the employees normally take the food home themselves.
I wish I had an opportunity 10 years ago to find a way to really get that food to the homeless -- the way you are able to do now.
You are a hero for what you are doing. You are a tough guy on the outside but I think you are also a very caring person.
What is "tent City" or is it just a phrase? I would be afraid to give anyone left over food. With my luck if they got sick, they would sue and I would lose my life long things I have worked for!!! I am happy to donate canned, dried or things like that. Just where?
you could plug a fridge in on the plaza
ANON 1:23 LOL they will start that tommorow
Most of the shelters are run by religious people that want to cramm their belifes down your throut! These people don't want to be forced to listen to that crap! I wouldn't eather. I have heard it said that if you don't participate in the prayer groups and religous services at those shelters your kicked out! Good Christian atiatude! Shelter should be given without strings.
Think they are still jobs Americans dont want?
That sounds delicious. What about us people who work hard and still have a hard time feeding our families.
Shelters are great for some people but they do not take everyone. Problem is also some of these folks will not go to a shelter no matter what. Yes there are strict rules at all of these shelters and if you don't play by their rules they toss you out. As for the donated food most of the shelters will not take it if it is already prepared and being transported from where it was prepared and that is due to our health department's regulations. I guess what I'm getting to is if you can keep delivering the leftovers keep on doing just that! before it's all said and done I'm sure someone is gonna try and stop you from delivering food to these people! Our fearless leaders want to ignore that homeless people here are growing by the day.
Joe, I wish more people would take the initiative to do what you are doing. I've suggested things like that with church dinners, etc. only to get the same "Health Dept. regulation" line. As long as you know the food has been kept properly then by all means get to those that need it. And the money that's given to people on street corners (13 & Main St.) goes to Royal Farms & it's not for food!!!
Joe, you are doing a good thing. Keep up the good work.I respect your concern for the needy and local charities.
Thank you and God Bless! Sure would like to donate coats and some warm clothing for winter.Just where would i do that?
If anyone is interested in helping in any way you can drop items off at my building at 300 W. Main Street in Downtown Salisbury.
424pm great idea! Joe, what hours is your building normally open?
Thanks for all you are doing!
My wife took two trips down South to help people rebuild from Katrina. This is the logic that everybody used down there...
Fact: These people were living in trashed, unsafe, unhealthy housing that was a hazard to their safety and well being.
Fact: These people have no insurance to cover their losses. They have no resources to rebuild. They have limited access to programs.
Fact: This is their home, and they are going to live with what they have.
Were the people helping licensed tradesmen? No! Did they have permits? No!
They used the resources given to them by God. Money, skills, supplies, enthusiasm, etc. They tore out moldy drywall. They replaced rotten floor joists that people literally fell through. They did their best to follow codes, but sometimes you have to do what you can to make the situation better.
Yes, permits and licenses, etc are in place for a reason. But for many, they will never have access to them. While what they did was ideal, no ethical person can argue that what they did was wrong. Every place they left was better when they got there.
So my advice - keep doing what you can, Joe.
If you can get appropriate food for a shelter, by all means let the specialists help out. It's less work for you, and you know that those in need will be well taken care of.
If you get some food that is already prepared and you know it's safe, take it directly to the tents. Don't let it go to waste. I don't think the hungry and homeless are going to mind one bit. Kindness is better than no kindness, right?
Restaurants can bring their food at the end of serving to HALO. They do have a licensed kitchen and can properly store and serve the food.They do a wonderful job.
Every place they left was better when they got there.
I think you meant 'every place was better THAN when they got there'?
I have heard from a man that volunteered at the Christion Shelter --- the people to "Get Out" during the day to walk the streets to find work. Rain, Snow, Sleet or Blow. These people here may be better off in their tents than in a Shelter , as bad as it may seem.
God Bless you, the people who are donating the food & any others who are helping the less fortunate.
Our Country reaches out with millions to help those outside of thsi Country----yet do little to help anyone here!!!! They should be ashamed!!!! EW
I spoke weith a teacher who had a student not finish his math homework. She ask why did you not do your homework...his answer was We cant get into the shelter until 8 o'clock. He wasn't thinking about homework. His thoughts were dinner and a place to lay down his head.
I rememer my mom saying "shed wished she had a house large enough to take all the children and feed them and take care of them". Now I know what she was thinking and feeling.
Look at all the people who lined up in Lewes for food.
Thank you for donating the food and please keep it up. Most people that work with these organizations (the christian shelter) that help the homeless, know little about the situation itself. I've had friends that have ended up homeless, and just taking them to the shelter you are greeted by someone with a very poor attitude. You are only aloud to stay in the shelter for 30 days, and most people that are unemployed right now have been in that plight for several months or years. If you're female and have children, you have better luck in staying and maybe being relocated eventually into a halfway house. The men on the otherhand are less fortunate, for the beds fill up quickly and are forced to stay on the street. Now there are some, that do choose to stay on the streets because they feel there is a certain sense of freedom with it. Others will purposely incarcerated, especially as it gets colder. You ask anybody job hunting how it's going to find a job and you will get a dismal response and those working know, you better keep what job you have if god allows you to keep it.
This is and will continue to be a growing problem in Salisbury. I also want to remind the so called christians out there something: You're supposed to give. It is not you're problem to know where the money went to, you're job is just to give. So quit worrying if it went to the royal farms.
I've heard for years about not being able to take leftover food from various types of functions such as a wedding reception.
Is there anyone reading who can point me to the specific MD code that prohibits this practice?
Call the health department. I believe that if you are giving food away that there are no regulations or permits needed. 410-546-4446
Anonymous 7:38 is only partially correct. Free food is not exempt from permitting and regualton except in a few situations, feeding the homeless is one of them. The price of the food does not ensure the safety of the food :)
Check out COMAR 10.15.03.02 (33)(c)(ii) which specfically states that a private kitchen that is preparing food for the homeless is NOT a food facility and therefore does not fall under the regulations that apply to food facilities.
Joe,
I absolutely would continue to take the food to the tent city. 99.9% of homeless people living on the streets or makeshift cities know there are shelters but have decided, for one reason or another, they do not want to be there. The shelters do have strict policies but the major factor is a lot of the shelters will only allow a person to be there for "X" amount of time. Many of the people who decide not to go to a shelter do so because they feel safer and more secure sleeping in the woods than in a building with a bunch of other people. When you are in a shelter a lot of the time you are in an open room with dozens of people, when you are in a tent you can zip it up at night and feel safe inside it.
That probably doesn't make sense to any person that has never been homeless but I have so I know the thought process. I would sleep in backyard playhouses because I felt safe there but I never once felt safe surrounded by a bunch of people I knew nothing about. We grow up learning people sleep in their own environment, everyone has an individual space so sleeping in a shelter goes against what we have been trained to believe.
My opinion is tell the "Public Officials" to print up lists of shelters in the area and you will deliver those lists to the homeless in the tent city and encourage them to receive assistance.
Although shelters always cry out they do not have enough, they surely always make it work. The people that fear shelters (whatever the reason) do not have the means to get food much of the time unless they are stealing it. So providing a meal to them is essential to curb the natural survival instinct which would lead to theft and/or robbery.
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