Handing Out Food Probably Isn't the Best Way to Help the Homeless in Phoenix

[TexasTowelie]

Miriam Wasser

On a recent chilly Sunday morning in downtown Phoenix, the area around the Human Services Campus on Jackson Street looks like a carnival of sorts by 8:30 a.m. Hundreds of people walk around or poke their heads out of makeshift lean-to tents to chat with their friends or to see what the latest caravan of well-meaning people – many of whom wear Santa hats — is passing out.

A large car idles in the middle of the street while a young man and woman sitting in the trunk pass out brown paper bags and bottles of water. Nearby, another group is passing out sandwiches and hot chocolate served in small white Styrofoam cups. At the west end of the campus, a few adults with kids in tow carry laundry baskets full of sweets or blankets and winter clothes, passing them out to the line of people that's started to form.

Over the course of about 3.5 hours, New Times observed at least a dozen different groups pull up, pass something out, and leave. Some groups, like the one who never got out of the car, stay for a few minutes. Others set up card tables and serve more of a buffet-style meal.

"Merry Christmas."

"Happy holidays," people say as they pass out food and sweaters.

Read more: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/handing-out-food-probably-isnt-the-best-way-to-help-the-homeless-in-phoenix-8919462