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Homeless advocates protest outside Mayor Jack Seiler’s home Advocates say ordinance against feeding homeless in public ‘is against God’ Author: Bob Norman, Reporter, bnorman@Local10.com Fort Lauderdale police officers stood guard outside Mayor Jack Seiler’s home on Wednesday, as homeless advocates around the U.S. protested the city’s recent ordinance against feeding the homeless in public. Advocates told Local 10 News that Fort Lauderdale’s new ordinance is against God. “The second commandment in the Bible is, ‘Love thy neighbor,’ and we’re trying to help our neighbors out here,” said one advocate. They also claim the ordinance is against the law. “No state, county or municipal government shall pass, enforce, or make any law or ordinance which might tend to be discriminatory toward any of its citizens,” read protester Fred Wucher. On Wednesday morning, the Homeless Voice organization chose a personal place to protest the new ordinance -- the home of mayor Jack Seiler in the upscale Coral Ridge neighborhood. They said this was the location chosen so they could make sure he heard their message loud and clear. Seiler apparently wasn’t home, but he has defended the law in the media. But those outside his home claim the ordinance is only adding to a hunger problem in his city. “I’m stepping out to protest to continue to be able to help the people in any way we possibly can and feed them -- everybody has to eat,” said a woman protesting outside Seiler’s home. Another feeding was held on Fort Lauderdale Beach Wednesday night, led by 91-year-old homeless advocate Arnold Abbott.
Man Used Olive Garden Pasta Pass to Feed Homeless Stephanie Tuder
Olive Garden’s unlimited pasta pass has come and gone, but some are still feeling its effects. As a casual Olive Garden customer, Matt Tribe of Ogden, Utah, purchased the pass, which gave the owner unlimited pasta from Sept. 22 through Nov. 9, on a whim that turned into something else much more meaningful. “I thought it would be cool to share with other people. Everything in the world is so negative, and in my own life, if you’re having a hard time, just doing nice things you forget all about it and it brightens you up,” Tribe, 28, told ABC News. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to do random acts of pasta?’ When someone sends you food, nobody’s pissed! They’re always happy.” That’s why Tribe started to get takeout from the national Italian chain twice a day and delivered it to his friends and family while documenting it on his website “Random Acts of Pasta.” After a while, though, Tribe realized the pass’ full potential. “It was hard to find the homeless at night. But then I started finding some of their spots, and I chose a buddy of mine and he said, ‘Let’s go film this,” Tribe said. “So we spent a few afternoons just going after them and we gave it to them, and it was one of the neatest things ever.” All in all, Tribe fed 10 homeless people linguine alfredo with chicken and salad from Olive Garden, which was not involved in Tribe’s project. He found the experience incredibly rewarding. “The first lady I gave it to was like, ‘Are you serious?’ The first thing she said was, ‘I’m going to share this with my friend,’” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. It broke my heart that this lady has nothing and the first thing she says is she’s going to share with someone else. It changed my whole perspective.” Olive Garden, while not actively promoting this kind of use of the pass, still supports Tribe’s project.
hours going to Olive Garden twice daily and deliver“We applaud Matt for his generous use of the ing the meals. He also put thousands of miles on his Pasta Pass, and we’re proud to play a small part car driving around. in his powerful story,” an Olive Garden spokes“The whole thing start to finish person told ABC News. “His changed my outlook on life in several actions align with our harvest It broke my heart that this ways, but I think I got more out of program, which allowed our restaurants to donate more than lady has nothing and the first this than anyone else who got pasta. 4.2 million meals to local food thing she says is she’s going I understand now why people devote banks last year.” to share with someone else. their lives to serving others,” he said. “It’s hard to feel bad, sad or depressed Tribe fed another 135 friends, when you’re helping other people. It family and strangers the same meal, and managed to eat from Olive Garden helps a lot. I hope this translates into someone doing himself 14 times. He said he spent hundreds of something nice for someone else.”
Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves