US

Houston Feed-the-Homeless Org Shut Down for Not Having Food Permit

Bobby Herring has a heart for Houston’s (TX) homeless population. He and his wife, Amanda, have provided meals to the city’s downtown downtrodden almost every night for the last year. On any given night, they can see 60-120 people in need of a meal. But two weeks ago, that ended. Not for lack of funds, lack of food, or lack of dedication, but because the government says they don’t have the proper permit.

“We don’t really know what they want, we just think that they don’t want us down there feeding people,” Bobby told the Houston Chronicle.

Kathy Barton, a spokeswoman for the Health and Human Services Department, told the Chronicle exactly what “they” are looking for: food that’s prepared in a “certified” kitchen under the watch of a “certified” food manager. Those are the requirements for the Herring’s charity, “Feed a Friend,” to get the proper permit. But the Herrings are skeptical they will ever receive it because they don’t have the means to meet the stipulations.

The controversy started when Houston police asked them to move from their initial location downtown to a different location. Because the new location is technically on park land, the couple was shut down for not having the permits from the city health and parks departments.

The regulations and permit are essential when it comes to the homeless, Barton told the Chronicle, because “poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care.”

But the Herrings said this is something they‘ve been doing for a year and it’s never been a problem before.

“I’m just really sad,” Amanda said to the Chronicle. “I can’t believe for a year we were right out in the open and never had anybody tell us to leave, to stop, to tell us it was wrong. I’m blindsided with it.”

Houston Feed the Homeless Org Shut Down for Not Having Food Permit

The homeless outreach isn’t the only ministry the Herrings are involved in. They also run an organization called Eyes on Me that reaches out to the city’s youth. Bobby, who also goes by his Christian rap name Tre9, tries to reach out through hip hop. A video on YouTube reportedly shows Tre9 hosting an outing called “Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays”:

Connie Boyd, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, said she’s happy the Herrings care as much as they do, but she also defended the city’s ordinance.

“We absolutely need more people like them who care about this vulnerable population,” Boyd told the Chronicle. “Even though their intentions are good, they ran into ordinances that are designed to protect the public. There are good reasons why they’re in place.”

Houston Councilwoman Wanda Adams told the Chronicle she would like to review of the law.

“I‘m very passionate about what they’re doing,” she said. “Somebody needs to make sure our homeless people are being taken care of. … We have to look as a city to see if there are other ways we can partner with people like this who are trying to help.”

In the meantime, the Herrings might try to find a church that already has a permit, or find another location downtown that may not require it.

Read the entire Houston Chronicle article.

Comments (400)

1 2 3 ... 11
  • natstew
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:34pm

    It’s all about Government controlling every aspect of our lives.

    It’s what Obama is all about.

    Report Post »  
    • Coralchristie
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:10pm

      Not just Obama…big government under both parties. You and I cannot be permitted to do good without the government overseeing out work. We‘re too stupid to recognize dangers and couldn’t possibly maintain a clean kitchen without being supervised. What on earth did people do before the government protected us from bad food? We must have been dying by the hundreds of thousands!

      Report Post »  
    • brotherhiram
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:16pm

      I agree with Coral, these don’t seem to be rules that were just enacted, both parties allow this to happen, but the progressives are the ones putting them forward.

      You can’t put the blame just on those who push for a rule, the blame lyes with those who allow it to happen also.

      Report Post »  
    • HalfStep
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:50pm

      Wrote this when the Clintons were co-presidents. Couldn’t imagine then it could get this much worse.

      Big brother pays all my bills.
      Big brother cures all my ills.
      Big brother puts food on my table.
      Big brother’s hand rocks the cradle.
      Big brother teaches right from wrong.
      Big brother’s arm is strong.

      Big brother shows me how to speak.
      Big brother shows me what to think.
      Big brother provides me with work.
      Big brother never lets me shirk.
      Big brother knows where I belong.
      Big brother’s arm is long.

      Big brother persecutes the greedy.
      Big brother claims to help the needy.
      Big brother’s burden is heavy, but
      Big brother needs the taxes he levies.
      Big brother protects me from harm when
      Big brother sounds the alarm.

      Bite the hand that feeds you
      Or you’ll live to regret…
      The other hand it holds your leash
      And that’s wrapped around your neck.

      Big brother covers his a–.
      Big brother forgot the past.
      Big brother wants you to follow.
      Big brother expects you to swallow.
      Big brother’s politics are correct.
      Big brother‘s not who you’d expect.

      Big brother’s trying to pull my strings.
      Big brother wants to clip my wings.
      Big brother lies to my face.
      Big brother covers up his disgrace.
      Big brother better watch his back,
      Little brother just might fight back.

       
  • oldchevyguy
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:33pm

    This is the government telling good hearted people that it is the government that will help the needy and they don’t want anybody else to be involved.It’s called “SOCIALISM” Slaves to the government!

    Report Post »  
  • nelan72
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:32pm

    They need to say they are just handing out sex toys. They will not ask for a permit.

    Report Post »  
  • SgtGGP
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:31pm

    Love this statement,”The regulations and permit are essential when it comes to the homeless, Barton told the Chronicle, because “poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care.”
    Yea, when it comes to “dumpster diving” or grabbing that half ate burger off an outside table, the permit is working for the better health for the better half.
    Really.

    Report Post » SgtGGP  
  • mcpbob
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:30pm

    Fed Gov. wants to do away with pvt charities, so they can control all of us.

    Report Post » mcpbob  
  • foolsgold
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:28pm

    Becknation: why havent you blamed O yet for this? [See posts after this probably]

    After all, you think he’s a godless, muslim, commie, kenyan/indonesian, marxist, nazi, socialist, racist, idiotic, devil incarnate and to blame for all YOUR problems….while you collect (socialist) unemployment and benefit from (socialist) medicaid/acre and (socialist) Social Security.

    [FACT] Actually, you can blame this on George W(MD) Bush — he made the huge mess that made these people starve. O is just picking up the crap W(MD) caused.

    Oh, where are those WMDs? We’re still waiting, Republicans and BeckRush who told us to believe Prez W(MD)…….

    Report Post » Select Palin for GOP 2012 to Reelect Obama!  
    • brotherhiram
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:13pm

      wow, didn’t you hear Body Odor the other day?

      Let’s get along, no one here is blaming smelly because he had nothing to do with it.

      You see here on the right side we don’t suffer from Obama derangement syndrome, this is a local beurocracy issue, no national politics involved here.

      But what I can say is that many of these homeless people wouldn’t be homeless if smelly had focused on jobs rather than everything else.

      Report Post »  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:42pm

      Ok, I will paint with your Rainbow Brush,

      That Marxist Progressive Chey-Mao Lover Obama causes this mess. Its all his fault.

      There, can you sleep better now?

      Report Post »  
    • Moonbaby
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 6:50pm

      Ummm…I think you need to take a little walk down memory lane buddy. Please don’t for get that while Bush was in office, the senate and house were controlled by democrats. In fact they stopped many bills that Bush and the cabinet tried to pass, including a bill in 2004 that was supposed to stop fannie mae and freddy mac from doing sub-par loans. If you really believe that everything is all Bush’s fault the you really are a fool FoolsGold

       
    • kinderweezer
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:07am

      You want to know where the WMD’s are? WMD doesn’t necessarily mean the weapon is big. The devastation and destruction are big. There are vials of chemicals all over Pakistan and that area. Wouldn’t take much to hide those now, would it? Think about it.

      Report Post »  
    • kinderweezer
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:29am

      Idiot works for me. As for the WMD’s, you don’t seem, or want to understand. Weapons of mass destruction does not necessarily mean the weapon itself is big. The devastation and destruction caused is. Think about how devastating a vial of ricin would be. Bet there are plenty of those in Pakistan and the surrounding area. As the mother of a soldier facing Hussien after the war started, they scared the hell out of me.

      Report Post »  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 4:18pm

      Fools,
      Our military found TONS of yellowcake uranium in Iraq.Much other WMD material was found. Our military thinks that much of it was taken to Syria and is hidden there to this day.
      That‘s all I’m going to give you Fool’s. Do your own investigation.
      I do not think that you will. You seem to be of the mindless sort who ignores truth and chants the brainless mantra,”Bush Lied, people died. There were no WMD’s”

      Report Post »  
  • REAGAN/DEMINT.DISCIPLE
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:27pm

    Scratching head, wondering if we made progress on Flying to the moon…???? And when can I move there to settle it with my family..

    Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • ceili
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:06pm

      Not Kate. Grow up and stop using my name.
      Kate.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • GPS-Tech
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:24pm

    The irony about Houston’s code enforcement personnel are that they are the worst ones when it comes to tampering with their tracking devices on their city issued vehicles. They go out and write people fines for not following the rules and they themselves dont want to comply with the terms of their employment. Cutting the antenna or unplugging the tracking device and throwing it in the trunk should result in termination but management lets them get away with it.

    Report Post » GPS-Tech  
  • 13thgenerati0namerican
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:23pm

    I like to dance in my apartment to the sound of Sonic Youth. I do sing the body electric, but only on days that I feel saucy

    Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
    • Steverino
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:22pm

      Scathingly brilliant analysis, as usual.
      Analysis for what, I haven’t a clue.
      Keep up the good work!
      Steve

      Report Post »  
    • ceili
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:03pm

      NOT UNTAMEABLE KATE you are a fraud. You stole my screen name to shut down my free speech as you apparently have nothing to say. You have been reported.

      Untameable Kate.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • 8jrts
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:19pm

    One more example of government getting in the way….can’t even be charitable without gov. stepping in and regulating how you do it!! Could it be because it is Christian based??

    Report Post » 8jrts  
  • liriadavila
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:18pm

    That’s how these extremists create chaos.

    Report Post »  
  • Lantern
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:17pm

    Too much @$%#$%ing bureacracy. I guess get a permit, or get sued when one of the homeless people get sick.
    If they can convert people and make them productive citizens, more power to them. What are the black churches doing in Houston? Would Jesus be pimpin’? Ha!

    Report Post » Lantern  
  • pma_guy
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:17pm

    Good job, Houston! Maybe the city will get the message when the crime rate goes up! Govenment fools!!!

    Report Post » pma_guy  
    • brotherhiram
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:26pm

      or maybe it’s a way to get the homeless out of town… if you don’t feed the wild animals they will go somewhere else… (sarcasm)

      It’s just sad, but this is government at its best.

      Report Post »  
  • Ellie
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:16pm

    Typical big government “protections” instituted to “help” people again fails miserably and ends up denying the people they claim to be helping from getting even basic sustenance.

    Take this out to its natural end point where one or more Houston homeless die from lack of food and their deaths will be on the heads of the Houston Health Department Regulators.

    Report Post » Ellie  
  • neverending
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:15pm

    I keep wondering what country I moved to in my sleep!! guess missy michie didn’t count the calories first.

    Report Post »  
  • J.C. McGlynn
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:13pm

    Not a government approved enterprise because no tax dollars were used.

    Report Post » J.C. McGlynn  
  • brotherhiram
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:13pm

    Who tells me that the Government local, county state or federal isn’t an organized crime family is lying….

    You can open a business, or a charity as long as you pay for the right permits, if you don’t our enforcers (police, IRS, HHS you fill in what you want) will have to pay you a visit… and it won’t be pretty.

    Bottom line they need their cut, let‘s protect the homeless it’s our job to protect the weak in our society, grat I want to feed them, NO YOU CANNOT!!!! it‘s better they starve than eat food that isn’t certified.

    Just like the Adoption process in this country…. unless you have a mansion, the ability to stay with the kid all day long and give them 100% of your attention, and make 6 figures, the kids are better off in a small house with 10 other kids with a stranger who collects a few hundred dollars a month to keep you there….

    Report Post »  
    • TheGoverness
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:57pm

      @BrotherH
      Sounds like you have dealt in domestic adoption. Any thing you have to pass on to me would be greatly appreciated. My husband and I are about to begin our journey into domestic adoption.

      Report Post » TheGoverness  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:12pm

    Much more sanitary if they eat out of garbage dumpsters, perhaps they need a food permit for those too. Stupid beauracracy and someone who needs job protection.

    Report Post »  
  • Rn mom
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:11pm

    Too bad no one ran into ordinances that would help the public. This is the problem with bureaucracy, there are a million laws to tell you how to do it, but not one law to help you navigate this maze of a system so you can do it. I am sure the hungry and the homeless aren’t asking for a certification.

    Report Post » RN MOM  
  • Howard_Roark
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:09pm

    Too much government, too much bureaucracy, too many laws. Congress, at all levels of government, should read aloud the Constitution once per week. They might learn a thing or two, and they will have much less time to make new laws.

    Report Post » Howard_Roark  
  • TombstoneJim
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:08pm

    That’s right – let the poor bastards go hungry until some beaurcratic rules is satisfied. Let me see – eat food that fills my stomach and have a place to sleep or – go hungry because some city employee discovers an infraction…..as long as the city employees enforcing this BS don’t eat until the other folks do, I’ll go along with it.

    Screw common sense, let’s close it down….

    Report Post » TombstoneJim  
  • untameable-kate
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:08pm

    I‘m sure the starving people will be grateful that the meals won’t be coming anymore since the proper permits weren‘t filed and the kitchen wasn’t certified. Please government explain to me why it is better to starve people then to help them. I guess the government feels it can do it better, God forbid we help each other.

    Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:20pm

      That’s not the point. They knew before they started it that you can’t just set up a foodservice operation without being properly certified. It’s their fault that they started it before they had obtained the proper certification and are now leaving people that had come to rely on them for their meals out to dry.

      Health inspections don’t cost anything, all you have to do is tell them to send someone out to do it. This was an entirely avoidable situation that was created entirely by the people running the thing.

      Report Post »  
    • brotherhiram
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:23pm

      besides the fact that you need a “certified” kitchen manager… they aren’t running a business, these are people trying to help people in trouble… how much control does this monster of a government want?

       
    • 13thgenerati0namerican
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:24pm

      that’s right, give starving people substandard service and food

      Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
    • CarolinaGirl
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Amen. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

      Report Post » CarolinaGirl  
    • GdavidH
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:34pm

      You are wrong ROWGUE .
      This is not about inspections. It seems earily to be about them having to hire a SEIU union member.

      “”food that’s prepared in a “certified” kitchen under the watch of a “certified” food manager. Those are the requirements for the Herring’s charity, “Feed a Friend,” to get the proper permit”

      Sounds to me like either Bobby or Amanda Herring need to somehow get certified or hire a food manager who is.

      Report Post » GdavidH  
    • Oldphoto678
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:45pm

      Of course it makes much more sence to ignore food safety. Who cares if a bunch of homeless people get a food borne illness. And what business is it of the government to pass and enforce laws to protect them. How dare the government insist on having food for the homeless be prepared under sanitary conditions. It’s a good thing to help people, but not if by helping you also put them at risk.

       
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:56pm

      @Rowgue

      Very correct, there are procedures and laws to follow.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:01pm

      @Oldphoto678

      So your solution is, hey, they should starve instead.

      That‘s some major compassion mojo you got goin’ on there, mon.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:09pm

      Snow, some a-hole is trolling and took my name please know that alot of the posts are not being written by me.

      @ UNTAMEABLE-KATE, Whoever you are, the name you stole from me is my real nickname given to me by a woman who is dying from cancer. If you need to attack and slander me that is fine, but please don’t use that name.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:13pm

      Kate, I hink this post was yours as I know that you have a big heart. I am so sorry that someone would try to hurt you in this way. It makes me both angry and sad. How is the weather in AZ? It is cold here with snow on the ground. I am in Ohio. Again, I hope you know that many of us care and are very upset. Keep posting and God Bless. Ask Snow about his tea for me. I always get a kick out of the two of you. I will pray for your friend.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • mikec711
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:59pm

      Rogue, the point is that you want them spending hundreds or thousands of dollars of their money and more money of the taxPayers for inspectors to come around regularly to police them. Even if the total cost was only $1,000, how many homeless could they have fed with that? It is my understanding that they were not forcing food on any homeless person. Any homeless person has the right to only accept food from certified sources. Gov’t did not used to try to control all aspects of our lives. Those are called “the good old days”. Good luck going forward my totalitarian friend.

      Report Post »  
    • rapunzel1176
      Posted on January 18, 2011 at 9:27am

      Here‘s a link to the Houston Homeless Coalition’s stats. http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/houston/community-development/coalition-for-the-homeless-of-houston-harris-county-inc-in-houston-tx-8498
      Included is the salary for the CEO.
      While obtaining a permit may be no or low-cost, the problem lies in having to ask permission of the government to supply a necessity to those in need privately. I have firsthand experience about what a pain in the rear getting approval from a local health department to supply food to a local gathering is! The homeless agency I affiliate with stopped holding its annual fundraiser, which had a soup supper, partly due to the slowdown in economy but also due to the impossibility of serving homemade soup to the individuals in attendance. Grandma’s kitchen is so much dirtier than the local greasy spoon! Some comments which mentioned the loss of federal “grants” if their “business” is undercut by private individuals are not that far off the mark!
      We have come to a very sad time in this nation that is no longer “land of the free”…

      Report Post » rapunzel1176  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:08pm

    Why would you think you could serve food to people without being properly licensed? It doesn’t take much to get the proper paperwork. Hot dog vendors can do it, I think these people can manage to swing it.

    Report Post »  
    • GPS-Tech
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:15pm

      We dont have hotdog vendors in Houston.

      Report Post » GPS-Tech  
    • brotherhiram
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:20pm

      because you’re not making a profit at it, I understand licensing if you run a business…

      how would you feel if you weren’t allowed to have a BBQ in your back yard or a picknik in the park with friends and family without a certified kitchen manager running your kitchen.

      these people were giving food away, they weren’t selling it, it doesn’t seem like they were applying for government funds to run this operation….

      there are individuals on their own trying to help their fellow americans and the governent interferes, because it is unacceptable for anyone to receive assistance unless the government runs it.

       
    • Rowgue
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:27pm

      Every state in the country requires health inspections and certification for any establishment that serves or produces food for public consumption. The fact that Houston doesn’t serve hot dogs (which I really don’t believe anyway) is irrelevant. The point being made was that it’s a rinky dink operation, just like this soup kitchen. They should be able to manage what a guy in a hot dog stand can.

       
    • natstew
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:31pm

      ROWG, you moron, they’re giving it away, not selling it!

      Report Post »  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:35pm

      It makes no difference if it’s for profit or not. The criteria is if you’re serving or producing food for mass public consumption. A family picnic in the park doesn’t qualify, it’s not open to the public.

      The same people pretending they’re outraged about this story would be the first people to scream bloody murder when fifty people die of botulism after being served at a place operating without a license. Every story doesn’t have to be spun into an endictement of progressives. People are reaching here.

       
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:42pm

      GPS_TECH
      is right we dont have HotDog vendors
      we have roach coaches

      Report Post »  
    • cheezhedsluvtaxes
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:42pm

      Once again, these people are feeding homeless people for FREE!!! If you think that these people need a license and certified cook for free food, then probably you also believe that dumpsters and garbage cans should be licensed to make sure the food is safe when the homeless eat out of them.

      Report Post »  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:59pm

      “Why would you think you could serve food to people without being properly licensed?”

      Many people run under the mistaken idea that they live in a free nation, that’s why.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • Chuck
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:17pm

      doesn’t Houston also have Predator drones flying overhead? How do you like the Gestapo watching over you down there lol…

      Food police is the least of their worries, barf!

      Report Post »  
    • bglaidlaw
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:39pm

      Why doesn‘t the health department simply audit these folks once or twice and either shut ’em down for bad health practices, or pass ‘em for doing a good job? Seems simple enough to me.

      Report Post »  
    • Midwest Blonde
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:57pm

      to Rowgue

      Neither Nebraska or Colorado have much food safety rules. In Colorado, ONE PERSON in the restaurant gets training and certification. The employees do not have to get “food handler” permits. Not sure everything about Nebraska laws but employees to not need food handler’s training or permits.

      Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
    • kinderweezer
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:52pm

      Why should they be licensed? Look at all the food processing plants that are licensed and supposedly inspected that are sending out food products contaminated with ecoli and salmonella. I think the homeless in Houston stand a better chance of having good, safe food without government intervention.

      Report Post »  
    • Kuentz
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:37am

      So basically what you’re saying is instead of 100% of the money going to food to help the homeless they now have to give some of that money to the government for a license and inspections and if they fail the inspections spend more money to get up to a code some government idiot set up and then pay for more inspections which results in less money being spent helping the homeless? Gee that sounds fair, to help the homeless you need to pay off the government, because after all eating from dumpsters and starving is somehow better than feeding them.

      Report Post » Kuentz  
  • 13thgenerati0namerican
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:05pm

    they don’t need food, they need to learn how to fish

    Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:29pm

      I‘m happy to hear that you’re against government welfare.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • natstew
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:30pm

      Fish where? In Buffalo bayou? Plenty of brown bass there (that’s turds for the uninformed)

      Report Post »  
    • 13thgenerati0namerican
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:30pm

      you know i am

      Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:34pm

      13th, I will probably never have cause to do this again, but thank you. You showed more class and respect for the people in the Tucson massacre than the other trolls did in the last week by staying away from this site and not making idiotic statements during such a sensitive time.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:57pm

      @Kate and APatriotFirst

      “I live in Ohio too. How about a threesome. For discussion only of course. At least until the beer arrives!”

      You’re both in Ohio? For real? I don’t know why but I was under the impression you lived out West Kate?

      I’m in central Ohio, just north of Columbus. I’m always up for meets-n-greets and having a drink and talking, fwiw.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:05pm

      Ghost, you know I live in Az some ****** took my name and now he is going to try to make me look like an ass. You know me, don’t let this loser fool you.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:12pm

      That’s what I thought, Arizona, but I figured my mind was playing tricks on me.

      I was under the impression that user names couldn’t be duplicated? If they can, that really needs to be looked into by the Blaze techies.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:13pm

      @ UNTAMEABLE-KATE

      That’s not good .

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:24pm

      As I replied on a different thread, the nickname Untameable Kate was given to me by a very close friend who is dying of cancer, so it is really hurtful that someone is using it against me.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Rn mom
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:01pm

      It sounded to me like this soup kitchen wasn’t a government funded place, but rather a charitable organization, ran by people who just want to help out. What’s wrong with that? I get the whole “teach to fish” piece, maybe people can start having those conversations over their soup kitchen food.

      Report Post » RN MOM  
    • 101
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:43pm

      Don’t feed the sheep…they don’t belong to you!

       
    • sedition
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:21am

      I thought it was together we strive? or am I mistaken what a farce…

      Report Post » sedition  
  • roostercogburn
    Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:02pm

    Looks like they have a few too many libritards working in government, time to cut the fat in that department, looks like they could use at least a 100% budget cut.

    Report Post » roostercogburn  
    • Ellie
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:35pm

      Houston Health Dept: “poor people are the most vulnerable to foodborne illness and also are the least likely to have access to health care.” – So we must stop those that are handing out food that _may_ be dangerous and leave the “poor people” to scrounge for food from the bottom of dumpster that _IS_ dangerous. – Nimrods!

      Ellie  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:37pm

      Im not %100 sure but I think this is in Sheila Jackson Lee’s district

      or close to it.

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:55pm

      I work with the homeless and a local food bank at the church around the corner from me. We have no ending of inspections and constant changes of regulations to deal with; yet we put up with it for the one goal the church and our community does support – helping those in need, we provide a hand up and not just a hand out.

      So I can understand this group wanting to feed the homeless, yet at this time there are regulations to be followed. If they need to be changed, challenge them in the courts, or get the legislature to make the changes needed.

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:58pm

      Yes I was right this is
      Sheila Jackson Lee’s district

      Report Post »  
    • CultureWarriors
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 1:58pm

      I want more than a 100% budget cut. I think we need to demand a refund based on total incompetence.

      It’s time to face the reality that the Government does more harm than good. We were WAY better off before these morons had any say. We should stop everything at every level of government except law enforcement and infrastructure (for the liberals that means roads and bridges).

      Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • DashRipRock
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:03pm

      So the moral of the story is

      Bobby Herring (a private citizen)
      has fed more homeless people

      Than the Congresswoman in that district
      Sheila Jackson Lee

      Report Post »  
    • ablisterin
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:10pm

      Laws like these are what I call “Illusion Laws.” They give citizens the illusion of safety and sadly most folks fall for it in times of crisis. It’s the same with the Obamacare, the new banking laws,… all of it. We should never pass new bills in so called “times of crisis.” Matter of fact, it’s time to get many of these laws repealed.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:15pm

      Sounds like they didn’t PAY OFF the proper “OFFICIAL”.

      Report Post »  
    • docvet
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:24pm

      Uuuh, I got a question. How many homeless that have eaten at this shelter have become sick with a food borne illesss? If none, give them a permit. If many, why did the Houston officials wait a year to close them down? What good is an answer (close them down) without a question (why?)?

       
    • 101
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:29pm

      Don’t feed the poor, the left wants them to riot “beg” for it!

      Report Post »  
    • Steverino
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:39pm

      I have a very simple and common sense solution, which obviously flies in the face of any government department:
      Check medical records for any one who is cooking, and see how many off their offspring, mates or friends wound up in the hospital for foodborne illness.
      My guess would be NONE.
      Cooking safely isn’t hard. At all.
      I am a certified food handler, and it’s not rocket surgery. Essentially, cook the hell out of everything and serve it hot. Store everything at 42 degrees or lower for less than a week.
      Really, it’s a bit more complicated, but not a lot. And, hey, the government peeled their $250 outta my wallet. AND I know the symptoms for a bunch of really hideous food illnesses, and their latin names. WOO – HOO!

      Steve
      http://stephencharles-poppin-off.blogspot.com/2011/01/somewhat-disjointed-rant-installment-1.html

      Report Post »  
    • Rogue
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:40pm

      We can’t just have individuals out there assisting the needy. The city is then not able to add them to the numbers of people they offer support to. Food, shelter, clothing – these are things the city and state are supposed to be recieving funds to pay for…. If charity comes in and steals away thier needy, they are unable to make a profit…er, um….get additional funding for thier programs.

      It’s not about safety, it’s about money.

      Rogue  
    • jzs
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 2:51pm

      Here a must-read for the anti-government types. The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation (both conservative) rank countries by “Economic Freedom” each year. This year, the United States came in ninth behind Canada, Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland. You know, socialist countries that have taken away freedom and over-regulate. No joke, here’s the link:

      http://www.heritage.org/Index/

      jzs  
    • exdem
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:13pm

      Unintented consequences from big government. Just the begining of the nightmare ahead.

       
    • GhostOfJefferson
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 3:48pm

      @JVS

      Actually most of those nations have actual real economic liberty/freedom, not socialism as you imply. The socialist framework under-girds them due to the fact that it was placed there BEFORE their move to economic freedom. Kind of like how France still has castles despite having no Monarchy. Nice try though.

      Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
    • *************************
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:15pm

      Give a man a meal, and you’ve fed him for a day.
      Teach him how to fed himself, and you’ve fed him for a lifetime.

      town drunk JIM: “Where you headed, cowboy?”
      sheriff BART: “Nowhere special.”
      town drunk JIM: “Nowhere special. I always wanted to go there.”
      -Blazing Saddles

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkinBadges  
    • Polwatcher
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:15pm

      If you want to feed the poor, you must first bow to the king.

      Report Post »  
    • Iowa_man
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:19pm

      JZS, Uh, did you really look at the data you linked to? Or did you think no one would actually go look at it. Most of the reasons, we rank lower is because of liberties or freedoms taken AWAY from us by the liberals and progressives. To imply otherwise is misleading. Whoops…

      Report Post »  
    • Zero-G
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:20pm

      So what the Gov. is saying is you cant feed people in need because of sanitation reasons but the gov. dont care if they are eating out of dumpsters or garbage cans. Man its no wonder out beloved country is so screwed up.

       
    • AmericanPatriot01
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:37pm

      This is an atrocity!!!! This is not the only one!!
      The recent legislation that passed congress called the food safety act restrict private individuals from having a garden in their back yard and distributing it to anyone! These bastards want to control what you eat, drink, and breath!!! soon they will come up with a citizen tax because you use oxygen everywhere you go and emit CO2!!! they believe you should have to pay for the right to use the oxygen and pay for the environmental damage of the CO2 you exhale. They will not stop until we get them all out of office!!!

      Laws like these are nothing but extortion! and the criminals, um i mean the polititions, that have implemented these laws and others like them, need to be tried for treason, deported,or imprisioned.

      RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT 2012!!! END THE FED!! RESTORE AMERICA!!!

      Report Post » AmericanPatriot01  
    • nptden
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 4:50pm

      The govt ‘certifications’ are a joke….like out teachers where we have ‘boobs’ with tenure….Just another example of the Progressive socialist movement….Karl Marx told them, when you right the rules and regulations, your in control….(but of course it is all for our ‘Safety”…lol…)..

      Report Post » nptden  
    • J144
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:08pm

      Anybody catch “Connie Boyd, president and CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County.” Is this a 6 figure job?

       
    • poppawoody
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 5:53pm

      I was just wondering, if these same laws cover evry one who helps in a disater like Hurricane Katrina, or are they ignored? At least until the proper Goverment enity decides it is time to make themselves look good. I believe it is people like these Goverment people in Houston who are just trying to save their jobs and they don’t really care about homeless people or they would be providing the meals at no cost and helping them by training them and giveing them a leg up to get out of thier situations at no cost to the homeless.

      Report Post »  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 6:06pm

      I guess it’s back to digging out that leftover food from freaking restaurant DUMPSTERS for the homeless of Houston!
      But hey…,they may die of starvation but….., they’ll be salmonella and ecoli free!

      Report Post »  
    • gracentruth
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 6:36pm

      yes, indeed. Same goes for Federal government.

      Report Post » gracentruth  
    • tolyadmac
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 7:35pm

      they just want them to move on…and indirectly they can get it done and seem like they care about them all at the same time…i think mama’s cornbread and a bowl of soup cant hurt them that bad

      Report Post »  
    • Max jones
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:46pm

      The certification for this operation should not be difficult to come by. Or expensive. It seems necessary to keep prepared food safe to eat. There are simple rules and criteria. I would think that St. Vincent de Paul or Salvation Army would help if they were asked.
      I am very impressed with this young man and wish him blessings. Christians in action.

      Report Post » Max jones  
    • 1TrueOne55
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 8:48pm

      Yeah only the Progressives can have compassion on the Homeless and then give them Hope for a better future. ummmm nawt. The Progressives were threatened since they were loosing control of the Homeless crowd because with the Hope that TRE9 was giving them they would get out of the Homeless spin of the Progressive cesspool and do better things and get jobs and pay taxes and then the Progressive Homeless program looses Gov’t funding because the Homeless have gotten homes with their own jobs…

      Report Post » 1TrueOne55  
    • john1417
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:39pm

      Do you know the food I have seen homless people eat? Do you think they care if there food is perfectly prepard? This is nuts. The only reason they need permits is so the city can get the money to take over the work that these people are doing and that the people can be reliable on gov. not the person or individual the TOWER.

      Report Post »  
    • oneoftheall
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 10:56pm

      Rent a small space for private gatherings with an understanding landlord. And, then invite a thousand of your closest homeless friends to a home cooked meal. There are no laws governing who you can invite to dinner.

      Report Post »  
    • westy98530
      Posted on January 14, 2011 at 11:49pm

      By this logic, if you come across someone that is bleeding to death before your eyes, make sure you don’t wrap the wound unless you happen to have sterilized bandages with you. Wouldn’t want him to get an infection.

      Report Post »  
    • Goldlady
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:16am

      It’s hard to get a bottom up violent revolution started if the people are not hungry.

      American’s helping each other will not be tolerated. Those in need must go to the government for help. It’s the only way their plan to destroy America will work.

      Report Post »  
    • avenger
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:04am

      hmm…gov. at its best….

      Report Post »  
    • jmmulkey
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:14am

      JZS said: Here a must-read for the anti-government types. The Wall Street Journal and the Heritage Foundation (both conservative) rank countries by “Economic Freedom” each year. This year, the United States came in ninth behind Canada, Denmark, Ireland and Switzerland. You know, socialist countries that have taken away freedom and over-regulate. No joke, here’s the link: http://www.heritage.org/Index/

      The article says: “The U.S. economy faces enormous challenges. The government’s recent spending spree has led to fragile business confidence and crushing public debt. Interventionist responses to the economic slowdown have eroded economic freedom and long-term competitiveness. Drastic legislative changes in health care and financial regulations have retarded job creation and injected substantial uncertainty into business investment planning.

      Ongoing regulatory changes, coupled with fading confidence in the direction of government policies, discourage entrepreneurship and dynamic investment within the private sector.”

      The vast majority of those two paragraphs are referring to what Obama has done since he’s been in office. Oh, and by the way….we are not anti-government….we are anti-BIG GOVERNMENT! America should be number one on that list of economical freedoms and number one on a list of overall freedoms, but because of bigger and bigger progressive/socialist governments coming to power we are losing our freedoms left and right.

      Report Post »  
    • justsaying
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:29am

      Because only the government can take care of people….

      Report Post »  
    • AzDebi
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:17am

      “We have to look as a city to see if there are other ways we can partner with people like this who are trying to help.” Honestly, she sounded like a government official who may try to help…depends upon how much weight she carries to be able to get past the red tape!

      Have a feeling that any two people who are willing to go to such an extent to help the homeless will also be the kind of people who’ll find a way! Where there is a WILL…There’s a WAY!

      Report Post » AzDebi  
    • byehlik
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:43am

      The reasoning I have for this BS is that the government feels like this guy is cutting into their arena of control. Can’t have citizens looking out for a citizen, which is the government’s job. And you know the government hates competition. This marks a sad day. Elitist government control is coming in every aspect of so called freedom. Vote 2012!

      Report Post » byehlik  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 9:50am

      I guess all the poor people will be grateful the government is saving them from a potential case of food poisoning, while they are starving to death.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 10:17am

      This is illegal!

      You only need a permit if you are making MONEY!
      For them to say they need a permit to feed the Homeless and Hungry is just like saying I need a permit if I want to have a cookout with friends or even worse a dinner with family. Are we going to need a permit just to cook dinner at night for our families!

      These people are just drinking the Bama koolaid by the gallons now!

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • Chris
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:33pm

      Once again the progressive libs use saftey, health factors, and “looking out for others”, to hide their true motives, CONTROL, JOB PRESERVATION, and EGO POWER TRIPS. Trying to change things through the proper channels doesn’t work because it would infringe on their true motives. This is just one more example of government employees protecting their own in the guise of “looking out for others”. While digging in the trash for food I’m sure the homeless are filled with warmth knowing the government is looking out for them.

      Report Post »  
    • billydee
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 12:36pm

      I like the fact that the official said that the homeless are more vunerable to foodborn illness. Thats probably because they eat out of dumpsters. So why deny them food that someone made at home? We are truly doomed.

      Report Post »  
    • NeoFan
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 3:31pm

      Why doesn’t somebody come up with a program to feed the people with homes?
      I could use a nice fresh plate of sushi delivered to my door.

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on January 15, 2011 at 8:14pm

      watched this report on the news…so in other words do your good deeds and try to help out until the government catches ya

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • EP46
      Posted on January 16, 2011 at 7:28am

      Remember they stopped the man in Georgia from growing vegetable in his back yard and giving some of them away. Yet we get POISON pet food and toys from China daily .

      Report Post »  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on January 16, 2011 at 10:39pm

      hey kickthe illegalsout…nice name….have to agree with you though…seriously, is that next…permits for outdoor BBQs…read an article not long ago that some kids couldn’t sale lemonaid in their front yard…with out a permit…I think they dropped it..but still…things sure have changed here in America…most not for the better…if I’m for one thing that the tea party stands for (not a member) but SMALLER GOVT….get the heck out of our lives already…

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
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