Critics: Homeless food program draws wrong element

Thursday, August 18, 2011

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- The Salvation Army's program in a Medford, Ore., park to feed homeless people has drawn the ire of city leaders who say the food giveaway draws in the wrong element.

The Salvation Army says 70 percent of the people its program serves are younger than 21.

The Medford Mail Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/nWBqL8 ) the city has already begun to take steps to limit food distribution programs. City staff has been asked to form recommendations that would regulate food distribution in parks.

Salvation Army spokeswoman Jackie Agee says the giveaway's clientele are polite and do not cause problems.

The city's police chief says he doesn't think the majority of those who use the food handout programs cause trouble.

Homeless people have been involved in three violent park incidents since May.

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Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/