Feed the Homeless Downtown With Sandwich Saturdays Albertsons May 23

Unlike cities such as Dallas and Houston, where laws forbid the public from feeding the homeless, Shreveport has no such restrictions. Even so, handing out that sandwich on public property can not only get you in trouble with the law, it also can draw the ire of local advocacy agencies working to eradicate homelessness.

The city does have laws requiring groups assembling on public property to get a permit and also has other requirements that must be met when handing out food to the public.

But groups such as Hope for the Homeless, a local collaboration of individuals and organizations that are working together with the goal of eradicating homelessness in Shreveport-Bossier City, say there's an even more important point. While advocates recognize the efforts of churches and other grassroots groups to help the homeless are well-intentioned, sometimes those same efforts can do more harm than help.

"HOPE serves meals seven days a week," said Christa Pazzaglia, Hope for the Homeless executive director. "They just don't think about the fact that it's unnecessary. When other groups provide meals for the homeless population, they are spending money and volunteering time for something for which there is no need."

Local group strives to feed the homeless

Pazzaglia also notes there are other problems people wishing to help the homeless may not realize. Requiring homeless to stand in line in a public place could be embarrassing for them. Also, access to restrooms and trash receptacles must also be considered.  Working in conjunction with groups like HOPE for the Homeless to coordinate efforts to feed community members in need is only one of several factors to consider before stepping out to provide assistance.

Want to help with the homeless? Here's what you need to know before you hit the streets to hand out sandwiches or other items:

1. If you're standing on a street corner, sidewalk or other public venue, you must have a permit from the city.

If a group is planning to gather and distribute food on a local street, sidewalk, park, or any other piece of public property, a special permit application for events, public buildings, and city property must first be submitted in an effort to obtain a permission for doing so. Applications must be received by Shreveport Public Assembly & Recreation no later than 45 days prior to the first day of the scheduled event, and once the application is reviewed and approved, a contract with the city of Shreveport must be signed and returned by 21 calendar days prior to the date of the gathering. Once approved, no changes can be made to the plans presented without prior approval.

2. You also must have liability insurance

Because food is to be distributed, the group applying for a permit must provide proof of liability insurance when submitting the application. The process outlined in applying for these permits with the Shreveport states the Certificate of Liability Insurance must be sent in, along with the permit application. Policies provided along with the application for permit must meet a variety of requirements that are fully outlined by the city, and failure to meet these requirements may hinder the ability of groups and organizations to receive approval.

3. Consider working with an established group

With all the steps necessary to ensure groups are following the proper protocol for setting up an event to distribute food to the homeless population, Pazagglia suggests groups work together to address the problem in a fully humanitarian and strategic fashion. "We need to teach people in the community that they don't have to be homeless to need help." Pazagglia insists that it is imperative for people to be aware of the fact organizations like HOPE for the Homeless don't only address the issue of feeding the homeless community, but also address the many issues leading people to homelessness and prevent them from falling back.

4. Be mindful of exactly who your efforts are helping and the impact of those efforts

Pazzaglia also worries much of the food being provided to the homeless population in the area is actually going to people who have housing and would better benefit from attaining meals provided through organizations such as HOPE for the Homeless, because HOPE provides a variety of other services for which these populations would benefit. "There is no need to take food out to the street," said Pazzaglia. "It's better that we rally around these people in crisis and strive to make an impact on them to do something new."

HOPE and other organizations provide clients with a variety of clinical services that attack the many contributing factors leading to homelessness and Pazzaglia worries if homeless members of our community aren't receiving their meals from those organizations , they are hitting a barrier to receiving clinical and support services.

5. Understand the broader picture.

Liz Swaine, executive director for Shreveport's Downtown Development Authority, agrees with Pazzaglia's ideas and fully supports the work of HOPE for the Homeless. "This is a great opportunity for a broader community discussion," said Swaine, who noted that the Community Foundation's recent luncheon featuring writer Robert Lupton helped her to see how Shreveport can best help the homeless and others suffering from poverty. Lupton's book, Toxic Charity, outlines the most effective ways to address the homeless issue in communities around the country.

She agrees it's necessary for everyone in the community to work together, rather than separately, in an effort to help eradicate the problem of homelessness."We can wrap those people in the arms of social services to really get them the help they need," said Swaine. "We can get them off the street and into treatment."

@milesjayoliver

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Source: https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2016/03/01/read-before-you-hand-out-sandwich-homeless/81146696/

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