For five years, Dallas Sandwich Sundays has been providing essential services, including food, hygiene supplies, and clothing, to individuals experiencing homelessness in the area behind City Hall.
However, in July, the nonprofit received its first warning for allegedly violating the city’s guidelines on feeding the homeless by failing to notify the city ahead of their food distribution event.
On July 20, amidst a sweltering morning, the volunteers set up folding tables and pop-up canopies on the sidewalk, attracting around 100 homeless individuals eager for assistance.
City officials, including Dallas police, city marshals, code compliance inspectors, and staff from both the Department of Emergency Management and Crisis Response and the Office of Homeless Solutions, observed the setup from nearby vehicles.
Tanner Karnes, the vice president of Dallas Sandwich Sundays, expressed concern, stating, “They are doing this to intimidate us. We are not going anywhere.”
The city’s recent crackdown on nonprofits and residents providing food to those in need highlights a growing tension between city officials and charitable organizations that strive to support vulnerable populations.
Dallas officials assert that the enforcement of these guidelines is a part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalizing downtown and providing long-term solutions to homelessness, particularly with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
The city has maintained specific guidelines around feeding the homeless for over a decade. These stipulations require that groups provide a 24-hour notice for events serving 75 or more individuals, arrange for cleanup, utilize gloves and hand sanitizer while serving food, and ensure food is transported in clean containers.
Karnes claimed that the city’s increased enforcement seems aimed at discouraging outreach activities in downtown areas. He stated, “It feels like they want people to stay away from downtown.”
During a meeting in June, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert underscored the city’s concerns about street feeding. She stated that addressing such practices is part of the Street-to-Home Initiative, which aims to transition homeless individuals into stable housing and includes measures to prohibit sleeping in public spaces downtown.
Tolbert remarked, “The response teams are truly working together, and we’re continuing to address issues around street feeding, which is problematic.”
Kevin Oden, who heads the Department of Emergency Management and Crisis Response, explained that the department’s responsibilities include ensuring that feeding activities comply with the city’s code and that the food distributed is safe and healthy for consumption.
After receiving the warning, Karnes and Dallas Sandwich Sundays emailed the city on the Friday preceding their distribution to provide required notifications regarding their event.
In response, Vincent Vasquez from code compliance suggested that the group collaborate with established agencies providing services to the homeless in the area, such as The Bridge Recovery Center or Austin Street Center.
The nonprofit declined to collaborate, stating, “We are a 501c3 nonprofit and will not be collaborating with anyone. We have been serving people weekly here for over five years now and will continue.”
David Woody III, president and CEO of The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, acknowledged the goodwill behind street feeding but cautioned against potential health risks from improperly stored or prepared food. He emphasized that structured environments facilitate a safer and healthier interaction between organizations serving meals and those in need.
Woody stated, “The first way we connect with folks is through a meal. They come onto the campus, eat a nutritious meal, and then what? That allows them to take advantage of getting a nice shower, some fresh clothing, basic hygiene, and if the individual has a physical health need, we have a Parkland clinic here.”
Maria Millis, communication manager with OurCalling, echoed similar sentiments, recognizing the city’s objectives as a means to promote long-term stability rather than short-term solutions.
Millis mentioned, “When our neighbors visit our navigation center, we are able to provide so many more resources. Our goal is long-term solutions rather than single interactions.”
On the day of the distribution, as the volunteers set up, city authorities were once again checking regulations regarding the food being distributed.
As they prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, city officials inspected hand sanitizers, gloves, and the overall preparation process.
Some people waiting in line began protesting against the presence of city authorities, demanding their departure. Code officers conducted their inspections, made notes, but eventually returned to their vehicles without issuing fines.
In a similar event two weeks prior, the group was warned for not providing necessary notifications to the city, according to Cedric Secoundiata, assistant director of code compliance.
Secoundiata stated, “Anyone engaging in unsheltered feeding within the city of Dallas has to strictly adhere to those guidelines.”
As of July 25, the city concerned itself with enforcing regulations but had only issued warnings and not citations for violations.
Advocates like Travis Fife, an attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, condemned the city’s actions, likening them to the broader trend of criminalizing homelessness and supportive measures. He argued that warning organizations like Dallas Sandwich Sundays only serves to undermine vital assistance to those in need.
Fife lamented, “When you have a group like Sandwich Sundays that is providing life-saving support and resources to people, especially during the hot summer months, if you’re intimidating people or deterring them from accessing support, I think it’s counterproductive.”
LaShonda Reid, the treasurer at Dallas Sandwich Sundays, remains steadfast in her commitment to help those in need despite city regulations, stating that intimidation from city officials will not deter her efforts.
Dallas Sandwich Sundays is not alone; Pastor Roy Fuller from The Rock Church of Dallas encountered similar scrutiny from city officials while attempting to distribute meals downtown on the same day.
For three years, Pastor Fuller and his congregation have visited downtown semiannually to serve warm meals and distribute hygiene products and clothing.
He expressed surprise at the heavy presence of city authorities during his congregation’s outreach, noting, “It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Despite the oversight from officials, Pastor Fuller reported that his group successfully distributed 500 brown bag lunches, highlighting the challenges of operating amid stricter guidelines.
Andrew Rollo, a manager with the emergency management crisis response team, noted that the city focuses on enforcing feeding guidelines primarily in downtown areas, particularly behind City Hall, due to the high volume of food provision efforts.
Rollo explained, “We spend most of our weekends in this area due to the high presence of food providers, but it’s not just limited to this location; we’re enforcing the guidelines citywide.”
The controversy surrounding Dallas Sandwich Sundays and other similar nonprofits raises vital questions about the balance between administrative regulations and community support for the homeless population, showcasing the ongoing struggle between local governments and organizations dedicated to aiding those in need.
image source from：dallasnews
