Church Group Trying to Feed the Homeless Ordered to StopHappy Thanksgiving to all, but apparently not for the homeless living at Palm Beach County’s John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL.
This holiday is supposed to be a day to think of others, which is exactly what church members from Acts 2 Worship Center in Loxahatchee, FL wanted to do.
But when the small group tried to deliver food to the homeless living at the park, a park ranger ordered them to stop.
"God takes care of us,” said Steven Griffin, who’s homeless. “We don't starve. We're grateful."
Griffin and his wife Dominique have lived at John Prince Park in Lake Worth for years, and they're not the only ones.
"You get all these other people coming in,” said Griffin, as his wife nodded in agreement. “I guess it’s because of the economy.”
For that reason, a dozen church members like Tereza Del Rio from Acts 2 showed up with packaged Thanksgiving meals.
"We do a lot of mission trips and helping the homeless and stuff like that,” said Del Rio. “I do whatever I can.”
"We brought our kids out here so they could see what it’s really like for people that are struggling,” said church member Brian Oakes.
And this act of kindness was greatly appreciated.
“We’re grateful you know,” said Kevin Rudd, who’s also homeless. “They hand out; we meet the guys and stuff. They give us a prayer and everything.”
But then, just as the homeless like Kevin were being fed, a Palm Beach County park ranger came up to the church group and ordered them to stop and leave!
“And everybody just went, ‘huh?’” said a confused Rudd.
“It’s very disappointing,” said Brian. “We didn’t intend for this today. We just wanted to give the food and be able to bless people.”
So CBS 12 news walked around Prince Park and followed the church members who just wanted to deliver the remaining Thanksgiving packages. This despite being told by the park ranger they had to leave or else be ticketed.
“Thank you very much,” said a family receiving the food.
“Mr. Park Ranger,” said CBS 12 reporter Israel Balderas, “how are you sir?”
CBS 12 tracked down the park ranger that witnesses say was kicking out the church members.
“I'm not allowed to talk with you,” said the park ranger, also identified as Mark. “You have to take your questions to the administration building.”
“They’re saying that you told some church people to leave,” said the reporter to the park ranger.
“Hi,” waved the park ranger to the camera. “I can’t talk to you; my bosses don't want me to talk.”
Park Ranger Mark said he was ordered to warn the church members that they were violating county ordinances. When he was asked to cite the specific law that gave him the authority to kick out church members from a public park, he couldn’t do it. So he called dispatch to ask for help.
“Channel 12 is here, wants to talk to me about previous activities gone on here,” said the park ranger to dispatch. “And I’m not allowed to talk to them.”
The previous activity being referred to was the ranger telling the church group that they couldn't feed the homeless.
At first, CBS 12 was told only the director of parks would talk on camera, but he wasn't available today.
Dispatch said that feeding the homeless was not a permitted activity by a large group. But CBS 12 asked, “What constitutes an activity and what size is too large?”
CBS 12 waited for Mark’s supervisor, Max Steward, to show up at Prince Park. But that never happened.
“And I’m sorry I couldn't talk with you but they put strict orders,” said the park ranger.
“Mark, you were following orders, is that fair?” asked reporter Israel Balderas
“Yes sir!” said the park ranger, with a sigh.
By the time CBS 12 finished talking with the park ranger, Acts 2 church members were done passing out the food they had. The homeless at the park were thankful for people giving of their Thanksgiving Day to think of others.
Tomorrow, they’ll be hungry again, and if someone tries to feed them, that activity could be a violation of the law. For now…
http://cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_11571.shtml?hpt=us_bn8&utm
