Philly mayor seeks ban to feeding homeless outside
Mar 15, 2012, 11:36 AM
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter wants to ban community organizations from feeding the hungry and homeless in city parks.
Nutter says he wants the homeless to eat indoors, where mental health and medical services can be provided.
But organizations that already serve meals outdoors say the ban is a ploy to get the homeless out of high-traffic areas, like the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, home to many of the city’s museums.
Nutter says the true aim is to offer better and safer food to the hungry. He says the city will set up a temporary space for serving meals at City Hall’s northwest corner and offer free food safety classes for organizations that want to serve meals.
The ban will take effect following a 30-day comment period.
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