The City of Santa Monica is looking to displace a year old homeless feeding program because it is too successful.
ABC7:
Steve Petramale has been feeding at least 100 homeless people every week at Reed Park for more than a year.
Santa Monica officials told Petramale the park is not a good location for his food program. They had threatened to issue a citation if he served meals this Sunday.
Petramale says he’s willing to work with the city to find a new location, but he wants to make sure the meals continue.
“I’m more than willing to make this work so everyone is happy and especially that these people eat,” he said. “That’s my main concern.”
Some neighborhood residents have complained.
“Neighbors are concerned about the amount of people, the lack of play space,” said Alisa Orduna, an advisor on homelessness with the city of Santa Monica. “The lack of space to be able to stretch out and have their activities.”
Petramale says he’s sympathetic.
“I understand your concern and why you’re upset but I really do feel, regardless, everyone needs to eat,” he said.
You may donate to Petramale’s organization FamilyFood.us via Venmo.