Want to feed the homeless? Sure, that'll be $500 please

An Alabama pastor's efforts to feed the homeless have been thrown into doubt after city officials told him he would need to pay $500 for a food truck permit.

Pastor Rick Wood, from Lord's House of Prayer, Oneonta, has been distributing hot dogs and bottles of water to the homeless in Birmingham for the last six years without any problem.

He says he is "shocked" by the demand from the authorities, which is the result of a new city ordinance passed last December. 

The ordinance requires that all food trucks operating in the city get a permit, which can cost up to $500.

ThinkProgress reports that Mr Wood was stopped by local police last month as he made his usual round of deliveries. 

He expressed his anger in an interview with ABC 33/40 News: "That makes me so mad.  These people are hungry.  They're starving.  They need help from people.  They can't afford to buy something from a food truck."

He continued: "I'm just so totally shocked that the city is turning their back on the homeless like this.

"It's like they want to chase them out of the city. And the homeless can't help the position they're in. They need help."

Watch the ABC report here: 

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Let’s encourage our churches to support and pray for their elected representatives
Let’s encourage our churches to support and pray for their elected representatives

Last week’s elections confirm that people have lost trust in both the system and the politicians - and the fragmentation that exists in British politics. 

Church of England celebrates continued post-pandemic growth
Church of England celebrates continued post-pandemic growth

The Church said it was encouraged by five years in a row of growth while acknowledging that growth, attendance and participation remain below pre-pandemic levels.

Christians among main victims of Islamist violence in eastern DRC
Christians among main victims of Islamist violence in eastern DRC

Christians in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing escalating violence from an Islamic State-linked militant group accused of massacres, abductions and systematic terror attacks across villages and churches, according to a major new Amnesty International report.

World Cup 2026 mission campaign aims to mobilise 10,000 churches
World Cup 2026 mission campaign aims to mobilise 10,000 churches

Evangelism and discipleship ministry Cru is hoping to mobilise 10,000 churches to spread the gospel during this summer’s World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico.