Jesus feeding the 5,000

Yesterday I was driving home from my dialysis treatment when I came across three people sitting at a corner in the City of Knoxville. I never give money, but I keep bags of food and water in my car to give to homeless people who look like they could benefit from a little food and water.

I stopped my car to offer food and water to these three, when a Sheriff’s deputy happened to be driving by. He stopped and yelled at the three to move on. I offered them the bags of food and water, but the Sheriff’s deputy told them that if they took my bags he would arrest them. I said, “It’s not illegal,” meaning it’s not illegal to give food and water to the poor. He brought my attention to a sign at the corner that read, “No panhandling.” Had I had my wits about me, I would have told the officer that the three were not panhandling, in that they hadn’t asked me for anything. I am a Catholic deacon who provides food and water to the poor as the situation presents itself. In any case, the three moved on without my food and water, and I returned to my car, expressing my frustration aloud, “What is wrong with this city?”

This is unconscionable. There are innumerable churches in Knoxville and Knox county who provide services to the poor in the form of food pantries, serving as warming centers when the weather gets frigid, or providing financial assistance for rent, utilities, and gas. It seems that these ministries are within the parameters of State-approved services, but providing food and water to people on the streets is not. In other words, the State has presumed the authority to tell Christians when, where, and to whom they may extend Christian charity.

I am not a constitutional attorney, but it seems to me that this ordinance is a violation of the freedom of people to peaceably assemble, of the freedom of speech, and of the principle of separation of Church and State. It is not for the State to tell Christians that they may only practice the virtue of charity within the State’s parameters. When did it become illegal in Knoxville for the poor to request alms? When did it become illegal in Knoxville for Christians to provide the poor with food and water?

Of course, I’ve written all of my government representatives – both mayors (City of Knoxville and Knox County), the Sheriff, my Representative, both Senators, and my City Councilman. Will I hear anything? I doubt it. And I don’t have the financial resources to hire an attorney to fight this. I suppose that’s what the city is counting on – that people will not have the interest or money to commit to fighting this.

But I’m still going to stop at that corner and give food and water to the homeless who are there. I did earlier today. I’ll just keep an eye open to make sure there aren’t any cops or deputies around. After all, it only bans panhandling. If they don’t ask me for anything, they’re not panhandling. And it doesn’t ban my giving them food and water – just their asking for it.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.