Nutter plans to end feedings of the homeless on the Parkway

Mayor Nutter on Wednesday announced plans to end the feeding of large numbers of hungry and homeless people in city parks, saying he wanted to provide indoor meals instead.

The proposal is the latest volley in a long-running battle over how best to meet the needs of the city's many poor people that is played out on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Free meals are served at several outdoor locations throughout the city, but one of the largest occurs on the Parkway near the Free Library and Family Court buildings. Dozens, sometimes hundreds, gather daily for meals.

That location is a stone's throw from the $200 million new Barnes Foundation building, scheduled to open in May. Some critics say Nutter wants to hide the homeless from tourists.

Nutter called that point of view cynical. He said he wanted to provide better and safer food to hungry residents, along with access to other services, including physical and mental-health care.

"My motivation is not to exclude anyone," Nutter said. "I want a hungry person in need to know they can go to a clean, dry place."

As evidence, he said, the city would set up a temporary feeding location on City Hall's northwest corner. Groups that want to provide meals there will have to take free city classes on food safety and register to serve at specific hours. That site is expected to begin operating May 1.

The city does not have the power to regulate those who provide free meals. But the Board of Health is considering rules that would empower the city Health Department to do so.

The city plans to end the outdoor service at City Hall once it has figured out how to increase the number of indoor meals available.

Separately from the Board of Health's proposed regulations, on Thursday the city's Department of Parks and Recreation will formally submit the ban on feedings to the Records Department, which will accept public comment for 30 days. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis can then adopt the regulations as drafted or amend them based on comments.

Everyone would still be allowed to eat in city parks, Nutter said, and the ban would not affect family picnics or public events.

He described those who provide the outdoor meals as "people of good will and commitment." But city officials said those people also inadvertently encourage people to stay outdoors instead of coming indoors, where they might have a more comfortable meal and get other help.

The proposal drew mixed reactions from groups that feed and shelter the hungry and homeless.

Sister Mary Scullion, cofounder of Project HOME and the city's most visible advocate for the homeless, said she backed the proposal but would monitor it carefully.

"I'm here today taking a risk because I honestly believe that [the Nutter administration is] trying to move forward in ending hunger and homelessness in our city," she said. "This is not an easy position, but I do think it's a great opportunity."

Brian Jenkins, executive director of the Chosen 300 Ministries, a network of 73 churches that feeds homeless people at several locations around the city, including on the Parkway, said the mayor was guilty of discrimination.

"It's a clear violation of civil rights," he said. "The reality is that before the Barnes Foundation comes in, they are trying to get people off the Parkway."

Niko Rayer, who works with North Philly Food Not Bombs, another group that serves meals on the Parkway, said the food offered there is often healthier than what is available at shelters. Not everyone is willing or able to go inside to eat, she said.

"We want to have dignity for everybody, but it's not dignified to let people go hungry if they can't go inside or if for some reason they don't want to go inside," she said.

Rayer said she was pleased that the city was offering free food-safety classes, but opposed proposed Board of Health regulations to require groups to apply to the city to serve food at the City Hall location. She is helping to organize a protest against the plans at 4 p.m. Thursday across from City Hall.

Groups wanting to provide food at City Hall would have to have at least one volunteer on site who has completed the free safe-food handling course offered by the Health Department. They also would have to comply with other safety requirements.

City Health Commissioner Donald F. Schwarz said the new regulations would reduce the chance of an outbreak of food-borne illness.

Broad Street Ministry last year served 15,600 free meals and recently completed a $500,000 renovation of its kitchen to serve more. Bill Golderer, convening minister of the organization, declined to comment specifically on the feeding ban, but said he supported indoor feedings philosophically as a way to make people feel more comfortable.

Dick McMillen, executive director of the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission, said he understood both sides but saw the safety training as a step in the right direction.

"There is a legitimate safety concern that has to be paid attention to," he said.

He also said more homeless services were needed, as Nutter suggested Wednesday.