I know this because I live in North Minneapolis, a community especially hard hit by the foreclosure crisis – and it wasn’t in good shape before, so laws to board buildings and discourage loitering and panhandling were imposed to protect children at bus stops more than to protect someone’s BMW. I volunteer at my local homeless shelter, give to other charities and am locally involved to help those in need, so don’t say I am insensitive. However, one thing you need to realize is that there are two sides to this coin. From anything I can tell from your blog, you live in an area where the other side of homelessness doesn’t touch you. I am glad for you. Neither you, your husband, nor your children should need to live that way.

People in desparate circumstances will do things that they know are wrong because they see no alternative. In the cities where these bans are occurring, what are the statistics regarding burglary and mugging? Giving people food is compassionate, but longer term solutions are required, and often while homeless people don’t want to be homeless, they also are reluctant to cooperate with drug treatment, or are afraid that an abusive spouse or parent will find them, or they just think there isn’t any point because society gave up on them. Food and shelter are compelling reasons for homeless to go where they will be able to make contact with social workers who can help them in other ways.

Instead of a ban, I would prefer to see licenses and specified hours of operation required for those who feed the homeless. That way efforts can be coordinated with social services to be available at those points.

The wave of hatred and anger in this country is staggering. The amount of vitriol directed to those down on their luck in this very difficult economy blows my mind, and seeing how it has been fostered by conservative religious groups turns my stomach.