Helping the Needy
Kristen Shaw
American Government, POS11034, Tue/Thur 10:00 AM
Subhas C. Rampersaud
September 22, 2011
Helping The Needy
With the economic downturn in the early 2000’s many people have found themselves in financial trouble with debt, in the middle of a foreclosure, and some without a job at all. Without money people can’t afford to live in a home and many find themselves homeless. Before recently, the average person didn’t see many homeless people let alone know anyone that is homeless. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in February of 2010, the number of homeless living in shelters in the suburbs increased from 23% to 32% (Sanders, Adam). With the increase in homelessness and poverty it brings more need for donations to shelters, for clothing and food but in July of 2006 The City of Orlando passed a law which made it illegal for any group to distribute food to homeless citizens in public parks and anyone who wants to give food to groups larger than twenty-five people in parks within two miles have to get a permit. The permits will come from the parks department and will only be handed out to each group twice a year. Now, not only are the homeless in need of food but now by law groups can’t give away food (Orlando: Please Do Not Feed the Homeless).
Even though now that this “do not feed the homeless” law has passed and it makes it harder for the homeless to get food from non-profit groups, it could be for a good purpose. The law came about from business owners in the Downtown Orlando area who complained that the homeless people who gathered for weekly meals in the nearby Lake Eola Park caused sanitary and safety problems for their businesses (The Associated Press). Downtown Orlando is attempting to attract many tourist and locals looking for a prime place to hang out and go to have nice dinners/lunches and the sad truth is that when large groups of homeless people gather in the same area
American Government, POS11034, Tue/Thur 10:00 AM
Subhas C. Rampersaud
September 22, 2011
Helping The Needy
With the economic downturn in the early 2000’s many people have found themselves in financial trouble with debt, in the middle of a foreclosure, and some without a job at all. Without money people can’t afford to live in a home and many find themselves homeless. Before recently, the average person didn’t see many homeless people let alone know anyone that is homeless. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in February of 2010, the number of homeless living in shelters in the suburbs increased from 23% to 32% (Sanders, Adam). With the increase in homelessness and poverty it brings more need for donations to shelters, for clothing and food but in July of 2006 The City of Orlando passed a law which made it illegal for any group to distribute food to homeless citizens in public parks and anyone who wants to give food to groups larger than twenty-five people in parks within two miles have to get a permit. The permits will come from the parks department and will only be handed out to each group twice a year. Now, not only are the homeless in need of food but now by law groups can’t give away food (Orlando: Please Do Not Feed the Homeless).
Even though now that this “do not feed the homeless” law has passed and it makes it harder for the homeless to get food from non-profit groups, it could be for a good purpose. The law came about from business owners in the Downtown Orlando area who complained that the homeless people who gathered for weekly meals in the nearby Lake Eola Park caused sanitary and safety problems for their businesses (The Associated Press). Downtown Orlando is attempting to attract many tourist and locals looking for a prime place to hang out and go to have nice dinners/lunches and the sad truth is that when large groups of homeless people gather in the same area
Bibliography: “Federal Judge Strikes Down Orlando Homeless Feeding Ban.” ACLU. ACLU. 26 Sept. 2008. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. http://www.aclu.org/racial-justice_prisoners-rights_drug-law-reform_immigrants-rights/federal-judge-strikes-down-orlando “Orlando: Please Do Not Feed the Homeless.” CBS News. CBS Interactive Inc. 11 Feb. 2009. Web International Business Times. The International Business Times Inc, 01 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 Sept Problem Around.” Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. 27 Mar. 2008. Web. 20 Sept Orlando Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. 12 April. 2011. Web. 21 Sept. 2011. The Washington Post. 25 July. 2006. Web. 20 Sept. 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/07/25/AR2006072500835.html