Wash. State Capital’s Permit Law Dislodges Charity Food Giveaway

The Olympia, Wash., City Council passed legislation Tuesday to require paid permits for activities at municipally owned parking lots, sparking protests from a religious charity that uses one such lot to serve meals to the homeless, The Olympian reports.

Crazy Faith Ministries has fed hundreds of people two nights a week at an empty parking area in the capital city, drawing complaints from downtown business owners and raising concerns about pedestrian safety at the site, located near a transit hub. Olympia officials said they have identified alternative cites for Crazy Faith to maintain the meal program.

Supporters of the faith group rallied outside City Hall before the council vote and spoke during a public hearing. “I don’t feel the process is fair,” said Ben Charles, executive director of Crazy Faith. He said the only way the charity will stop using the parking lot is “when they arrest us.”

Several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle, have enacted or considered restrictions on outdoor food giveaways.