Volunteers who provide meals and other basic supplies to people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix are raising concerns about a proposed city ordinance that would require permits to distribute food in parks.
Organizers say the permitting requirement could limit routine outreach activities, including handing out bottled water near transit stops to people in need. A volunteer offers bottled water to people experiencing homelessness near a Phoenix transit stop; organizers say new permitting rules could limit this kind of outreach.
Many volunteer groups regularly prepare and distribute meals at parks around the city as part of their outreach to people without stable housing. Volunteers prepare and distribute meals at a Phoenix park, part of outreach groups raising concerns about a proposed city ordinance that would require permits for feeding people experiencing homelessness.
Those who run the programs warn that adding a permit requirement could introduce logistical hurdles, reduce the frequency of distributions, and limit how many people they can reach during regular outreach shifts.
The information available about the proposal does not include specifics on application procedures, fees, exemptions or how enforcement would be handled.
Volunteers and outreach groups say they will continue offering meals and bottled water while they seek clarification and express their concerns to city officials.
The situation has drawn attention from multiple grassroots groups that conduct regular park-based distributions; organizers say they are monitoring developments related to the proposed permitting rule.