Finding a seat in the Lord's Kitchen
Q:A policy at the Salvation Army's Lord's Kitchen, which feeds the homeless, required patrons to present identification and proof that they live in Glendale in order to get a meal. The policy was reversed temporarily this week after sparking controversy locally, even on the Forum pages of the News-Press. Some feel the policy was justified. Others felt it was wrong, because they say it belied core Christian values. What do you think? Do you agree with the decision to reverse it?
A:One of the more familiar miracles of Jesus involves feeding 5,000 people by multiplying a couple of fish and few loaves of bread. At the end of the feed, Jesus walks away from the crowd because their appreciation is misdirected (John 6:15). They were so awestruck by the physical feat and the satisfaction it brought to their bodies that they were in danger of missing the bigger menu item, which provided food for their souls and spirit.
As implied by its name, the Salvation Army has an evangelical mission. It seems that the policy changes might have been more in line with their overall mission rather than an act of discrimination against people who aren't from Glendale. Similar to what happened after the feeding of the 5,000, people may need to be reminded that there is a bigger picture that escapes our focus.
The events of the last week need to serve as a wake-up call to our entire community. First, we cannot escape the reality that homelessness is real and there is a need to address issues of shelter and food here in Glendale. Second, there are different ways of addressing those needs. Whether we provide the proverbial fish or teach a person to fish, both are necessary and both are valid means to an end. Third, the challenges presented to us belong to all of us. It is not only a shame but a disgrace on our city that in all this abundance even one person should go without food.
Finally, as a community we need to commend and more importantly support houses of worship that are involved in the outward care of others. This, in fact, is at the core and foundation of all true religions. As Saint John wrote, "He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
Youth Ministries
In Context
The Salvation Army made a huge mistake. That is strike one.
A few days later, it reversed its bad decision, but said the reversal was only temporary. That is strike two. If the Salvation Army does not reverse its bad decision permanently, and soon, it could be strike three for the organization in the Glendale area.
What were they thinking when they decided to feed only "qualified" hungry people? As I recall, Jesus Christ said "feed my sheep" (symbolically meaning all hungry people). He didn't mention checking credentials first.
What's the next decision? Signs near the kettles at Christmastime saying: "Donations accepted only from Glendale residents?" This is no more absurd than the other decision.
If someone at a higher level in the organization does not fix this and soon, this much-beloved agency is going to be damaged beyond repair. What the Salvation Army has here is a public relations disaster and a spiritual challenge of biblical proportions.
THE REV. THOMAS E.
WITHERSPOON
Unity Church of the Valley
La Crescenta
I'm glad the Salvation Army rescinded the policy of requiring identification for the free meals served at the Lord's Kitchen, if only for the summer. I don't like the thought of people in my community -- or able to get themselves into my community -- going hungry.
It's especially sad when food is there for the taking and America's biggest health problem is obesity. Obviously, there are generous, religious people in Glendale, who are capable of supplying food to all who come to eat it, regardless of their residency. The fact that charity is a tenet of all major religions makes me think it's a basic part of human nature.
I think the Salvation Army temporarily lost sight of its mission. I guess being religious doesn't automatically give one empathy. I'm surprised they didn't think about how the clients and food providers would react to the identification requirement. How arrogant to not talk with them about it beforehand.
Part of the stated motivation was to get people into appropriate treatment, but requiring IDs doesn't help that. There are already some organizations with responsibility to help with this problem. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should figure out how to help homeless vets. Public health departments should work with nongovernmental organizations to get the mentally ill off the streets. I don't think everyone wanting a free meal is homeless or jobless.
SHARON WEISMAN
Atheist
Glendale
I am glad the policy was reversed. When I first heard of the situation, I had two thoughts. First of all, so what if a person from outside Glendale gets a free meal? Isn't it possible that a homeless Glendale person might get a free meal at a Salvation Army place in, say, Torrance?
My other thought was of the so-called "Soup Nazi" on the popular sitcom "Seinfeld." The proprietor of the soup-serving restaurant could easily be convinced to withhold soup from paying customers simply because he didn't like them.
Somehow, I can't see the wonderful Salvation Army, with its great and long tradition of feeding the hungry, saying, in effect, "No soup for you!"
There may be extenuating circumstances in this situation, such as keeping children safe, but the very idea of requiring identification before someone is fed at the Salvation Army seems wrong-headed.
But I also haven't walked in the shoes of those who feed the hungry every single day. What the situation sounds like to me is a situation that is getting more and more out of control, and the Salvation Army of Glendale is trying to find a way to serve all in need.
THE REV. SKIP LINDEMAN
Congregational United
Church of Christ
Church of the Lighted Window
La Cañada Flintridge
One of the more familiar miracles of Jesus involves feeding 5,000 people by multiplying a couple of fish and few loaves of bread.
At the end of the feed, Jesus walks away from the crowd because their appreciation is misdirected (John 6:15). They were so awestruck by the physical feat and the satisfaction it brought to their bodies that they were in danger of missing the bigger menu item, which provided food for their souls and spirit.
As implied by its name, the Salvation Army has an evangelical mission. It seems that the policy changes might have been more in line with their overall mission rather than an act of discrimination against people who aren't from Glendale. Similar to what happened after the feeding of the 5,000, people may need to be reminded that there is a bigger picture that escapes our focus.
The events of the last week need to serve as a wake-up call to our entire community. First, we cannot escape the reality that homelessness is real and there is a need to address issues of shelter and food here in Glendale.
Second, there are different ways of addressing those needs. Whether we provide the proverbial fish or teach a person to fish, both are necessary and both are valid means to an end. Third, the challenges presented to us belong to all of us. It is not only a shame but a disgrace on our city that in all this abundance even one person should go without food.
Finally, as a community we need to commend and more importantly support houses of worship that are involved in the outward care of others. This, in fact, is at the core and foundation of all true religions. As Saint John wrote, "He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
Youth Ministries
We certainly do not have a loaves-and-fishes situation nor manna for the wandering.
What we do have is an organization with limited food and limited funds electing to offer their food service to those who reside in the city of Glendale, and in order to administrate it, they have opted for an ID card requirement.
The fact that most of those who receive the food are in need of other services goes without saying.
Those people who live in areas other than Glendale should seek help from the Salvation Army facility in their communities.
The conditions of the poor in the world will only improve when we all become spiritually aware of the lack of balance in all phases of our lives.
We do not see anything ungodly in their policy.
We believe they should stay with their policy of requiring identification as residents of Glendale for their meals.
BARBARA CRAMER
Secretary
Baha'i Faith, Glendale
We show God's love by meeting the legitimate needs of others without expecting anything in return.
This seems to be the focus of ministries like St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Food For Body and Soul. God clearly demonstrated this kind of love when he took the initiative to send Jesus Christ, his son, to die for our sins. Because he loves us, God calls us to repent of our sins and the futile, unproductive ways into which we all occasionally fall.
Even at the peak of our benevolence, none of us perfectly reflects God's love. But I believe that God will bless both ministries in Glendale (and every one of us who wants to make a difference for Him) as long as we continue in love for him, in service for the needy and in respect for each other in Jesus' name.
PASTOR JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
Once a year, we're beckoned to participate charitably by yielding to the clang of hand bells as they are rung by the volunteers manning the red buckets with the Salvation Army logo emblazoned on them.
Throughout the year, the Salvation Army collects and distributes food and funds, thus fulfilling God's admonition to "remember the poor" (Galatians 2:10). I feel good about these solicitations, because I know the organization to be accountable, and I'm confident that all will be distributed responsibly.
I'm not so confident when panhandlers fill my ears with tales of woe that can only be remedied by the contents of my wallet. One who regularly positions himself at off-ramps bearing the sign "Why lie, I need a beer!" may thirst, but who would sense a Christian compulsion to be his enabler? God says that "if a man will not work, he shall not eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10).
It's clear that the Salvation Army works to ease the misery of the poor. But its goal is to give a hand up, not just a hand out. I think this is responsible, and if requiring ID helps to achieve this, then so be it. Capt. James Sloan told me that anyone in "need" receives care, even to obtaining said ID. So, it would seem to me, that only those not wanting to become productive members of society, or who are hiding from the authorities, would oppose such accountability measures. There is everything right about feeding hungry people, but let's not facilitate their continued plight. This recent desire by the Salvation Army to require identification from those they help is a responsible (and Christian) effort to teach a man to fish, rather than to feed him a fish for just one day.
REV. BRYAN GRIEM,
SR. PASTOR
Light On The Corner
Montrose