Although the actions derive from nothing but the best of intentions, an effort to feed homeless people in Esther Short Park is creating more problems than it solves.
A group of volunteers has organized an effort to bring food to the homeless who congregate in the park that sits at the heart of Vancouver. Starting about 10 weeks ago and modeling their similar effort in Portland, organizers provide several gallons of soup and dozens of sandwiches to the destitute on evenings and weekends. They also distribute clothing, toiletries and other essentials.
The project is noble. It is thoughtful. It is heartfelt. Yet it also is slightly misguided and has become troublesome for the downtown area. As Gerald Bartlett, president of the nearby Parkview Homeowners Association, told The Columbian: “The neighborhood is made worse, not better, by misguided civic groups. We are especially concerned about the criminally vagrant component . . . and the collateral damage they cause.” The problem, neighbors say, is that the temporary soup kitchens have drawn more homeless to the area and have led to an increase in garbage and disturbing behaviors. On his Facebook page, “Keeping Esther Short Park Clean,” downtown resident Daniel Mitchell wrote: “They’re making a huge mess, then packing up and leaving it behind, along with the negative behaviors.”
Shelly Gaylor, co-organizer of the food handouts, counters that, “The homeless were there first … we came to them.” She also said, “Everybody we feed, they’re so thankful. They’re amazed that we’re just people feeding people.” That points out the crux of the issue. The fact is that there are many efforts throughout the city that involve people feeding people; several food pantries are in operation, and Share House offers hot meals three times a day. Helping to direct the homeless to those established services — which often also can connect people with medical or mental health care, if necessary — would be a much more productive endeavor.
