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: 

News
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes

The Chin have been badly treated throughout much of Myanmar's post-independence history.

Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'
Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'

Sir Brian Souter, the founder of Stagecoach and Megabus, has spoken candidly about the role of Christian faith in business and his view that Britain’s increasingly secular culture may be giving rise to a renewed and more authentic form of Christianity.

Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK
Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK

Faith identity and ideology "are assuming a more significant role in shaping political allegiance, civic participation, and the wider culture", a new report has found.

'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge
'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge

In some cases the numbers coming were double what was expected.