To feed the homeless, or not
Re: “Don’t feed the homeless!” [Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/1X2ZDPK]
I think food is valuable — there were times in my life that without access to food, my child and I would have gone hungry.
That was working full-time … barely keeping a roof over my head. Thankfully that is not my situation anymore — food, however, is always a good thing.
—Melodie via Facebook
A city on the East Coast came up with a creative idea to help the homeless. They recycled parking meters, painted them bright yellow and placed them in parks, etc. where homeless congregate. Then people could put their change in them and the money gets funneled to the proper agencies that are dedicated to help curb the homeless problem. I thought it was really cool and convenient.
—Alison Barker via Facebook
We live in the Hillcrest/Bankers Hill area. I do agree with the other comments that this area is getting worse. Every week our family encounters aggressive homeless people. We also encounter A LOT of mentally unstable homeless people as well (or maybe they are on drugs or both). They are screaming and cursing loudly to an imaginary person. In the past week we have dealt with two different aggressive mentally ill homeless men by our building. We called 911 and it took the cops 30 minutes to get here and then they did not do anything about it. We do not feel safe walking at night in our neighborhood. Something needs to happen ASAP to fix this problem because it is getting worse!
—Misty L. Richardson via Facebook
Re: “Street feedings: bridge or barrier?” [Editorial by Deacon Jim Vargas, Miles McPherson, Elaine Therrien and Kris Mitchell. Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/1lt4D4G]
I just read an editorial in the Uptown News co-written by Miles McPherson about people that serve the homeless food downtown. Since when is serving Downtown a bad thing? I can understand the push to not want to make people dependent but the idea that serving food is used as a crutch by the homeless to not seek services elsewhere is a stretch. I have a sneaking suspicion this is more about “cleaning” up Downtown for the rich then creating a more streamlined way to help others. Just because someone is homeless doesn’t mean they have to eat in a food line. You can’t own a person because they are homeless and that’s what all this sounds like.
—Elana Gomez of Talmadge via email
A shared experience
Re: “In North Park, Homebrew Fest is school’s new bake sale” [Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/1kHeZ0d]
As a member of the Grant K-8 School Foundation and immediate past president of the PTA at our school, I enjoyed reading your article. It’s exactly what we are faced with at our school each year. I wish at the very least, our school system could get as much per student as the government spends on prisoners- at least make that a level playing field. Maybe one day…
—Lara Gates via Facebook
Thanks for the advice
Re: “The Perfect Project” [Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/1ONxRYB]
Awesome! Good advice.
—Gregory May via Facebook
Match made in heaven
Re: “The Perfect Date” [Volume 7, Issue 23 or at bit.ly/20Xy27w]
I had a wonderful afternoon – loved the Art Shed crew and their lovely sedum gardens, too. I also found some new restaurants to explore more — Parks & Rec, Plumeria, Muzita, many more. It didn’t seem as well-attended as I think it merited, though. I’d also suggest that the restaurants/bars give some kickback coupons to gauge how effective the exposure was. Only the meat store did that. I hope you can get even more galleries and bars and all involved next year! Great job!
—DJ Starr
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