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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bring the homeless inside for meals
The poor and homeless gathered in the plaza across from Family Court on line to receive food distributed by Philly Restart. (David M. Warren / Staff Photographer)

Is it right for the city to urge on-street feeding programs for the homeless to move indoors?
No, the public needs to see homelessness to end it
Yes, more dignified, better sanitation
No, homeless have a right to eat alfresco
Yes, it’s scaring off the tourists
View results

Proposed Health Department regulations on outdoor food handouts in Philadelphia should be the catalyst for more community and church-based volunteer groups to move indoors with their laudable efforts to aid the homeless. The new rules would require permits and kitchen inspections for any group feeding more than a few people in an outdoor setting, such as at the weekly feedings along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Center City.

* EDITORIAL *

The city’s top health official, Deputy Mayor Donald F. Schwarz, insists that his main objective is food safety — and not coming up with just another fee to fatten the city’s treasury. In fact, the permits under review over the next month by the city Board of Health would be what Schwarz calls “soft regulations,” carrying no fees. The city also hopes to offer training in safe food-handling practices for groups that hope to continue providing meals on the city streets.

But Schwarz is candid that he also hopes to use the regulation as a means to prompt more dialogue with volunteer groups on the critical issue of moving indoors. Health officials recently met with more than a dozen groups that provide meals to promote the idea that they could partner with indoor meal programs operating in and around Center City. Groups such as the Broad Street Ministry, with a facility on South Broad Street, say they could add meals if other groups helped.
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Posted by Inquirer Editorial Board @ 3:00 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:44 PM, 02/18/2012
    "The new rules would require permits and kitchen inspections" - Does this mean more government jobs with great benefits (paid for by the rest of the taxpayers) or will the existing L&I people be expected to do more? If this is something that is not going to produce revenue, than obviously it would be a "cost" to the city instead.
    — dee99999


1 comments
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