Despite continued protests, the Coalition to End Meal Limits NOW is concerned that not enough of the city’s homeless are getting food. The group even went so far as to give the City Commission a mock “Oscar” for “Best Fantasy.” Gainesville City Commissioner Thomas Hawkins says the limit has Gainesville’s residents interests in mind.
“When the city comission makes land use and zoning decisions, we’re responsive to the needs of property owners and single-family neighborhoods. I think if you were to draw a heirarchy of our responsiveness to citizen demands, those residents end up at the top of the pyramid because they’re the fundamental, basic, building block of our community and our city,” said Hawkins.
The St. Francis House is currently allowed to serve only 130 meals per day.