Houston couple prevented from feeding the homeless due to permit issues appears before city council

On Wednesday, January 19 the Houston couple who was told they needed a permit in order to feed the homeless through their non-profit, grassroots ministry appeared before the City Council.

The story, which first appeared in the Houston Chronicle, made national headlines on sites like the Drudge Report, Huffington Post, and CNN.com. Additionally, Bobby and Amanda Herring were interviewed on Fox News, MSNBC, and other local stations.



During the City Council visit, Bobby Herring (who is also known as Christian rapper Tre9) explained what they do, apologized for any negative media attention their cause brought upon the city, and asked how they could work with the local government agencies to continue their work.

The Herrings were praised for their efforts by council members Mike Sullivan, Anne Clutterbuck, Jarvis Johnson, and Jolanda "Jo" Jones. There was also discussion of a new ordinance that would be drafted by council member Wanda Adams and the Health Department to accommodate situations like the one Feed a Friend is currently in. This will be examined more closely on February 7 by a committee to be steered by council member Jarvis Johnson.

Video from those sessions (also available on the HTV website) is posted below.

UPDATE: Feed a Friend's City Council Meeting

Feed a Friend update from today's Houston City Council Meeting:

I spoke to Tre9 earlier. He said the City Council meeting went well.

The main takeaway is that Wanda Adams will be heading a committee to review the regulations regarding public feedings vs. commercial feedings. It's the commercial feeding rules that are apparently being applied here which may be the issue.

Part of Tre9's argument was that he was simply feeding friends from private kitchens. The question would be how does the city define "friend" and under what authority could they tell a person they could not share a meal with their friends?

Tre said Jarvis Johnson and Michael Sullivan also publicly commended them from the council. That new committee should start on Feb 7 apparently.

He said someone else, Kathy Barton from the Health Department, also offered to help him get certified to work in kitchens and such.

Will keep you posted. I think there may be video available from the city's website as soon as they update the page.