Supporting the right to feed the homeless
Nourish Our Neighbors is a non-profit organization based out of Dayton, Ohio. Their sole purpose in becoming an organization is to help the less fortunate in their community with any supplies they may need, including monthly public feedings.
The organizers of NON have been actively feeding the unhoused community for over 2 years, with up to 20 volunteers helping them at any given time!
On April 7th, Nourish Our Neighbors were hosting a community feeding when they were approached by Officer John M. Zimmermann. Officer Zimmermann stated that they were breaking city ordinance #137-21 which states that you cannot distribute food, clothes, and toiletries on the courthouse square without a permit.
This permit requires a non-refundable filing fee, when the permit is not even guaranteed to be approved.
After an hour of back and forth, Officer Zimmerman escalated the situation to an unnecessary level by arresting volunteer Mitchell West for simply handing a community member 2 burritos. Officer Zimmerman even asked the community member if he wanted to press charges against Mitchell for harassment.
Ultimately, NON had to end the feeding early and lost 1/3rd of the food they had planned to give away.
Our question is, how does requiring a permit help the unhoused community members in Dayton?
It doesn’t. It’s simply just a fee handed to the government in hopes that they grant you “permission” to help your community members.
You Are The Power is going to demand Human Respect from the Dayton City Council.
Here's How you can help!
Email the Mayor and City Commissioners
We ask that you RESPECTFULLY (seriously don’t give the Government the opportunity to play the victim) email each person on this list and let them know that feeding our community members is not and should not be a crime, and that we are aware of the situation and hope they choose to do the right thing at NON’s next feeding.
Commissioner Shenise Turner-Sloss: CommissionerTurner-sloss@daytonohio.gov
Dear <position-name>,
I am concerned with the way Dayton Police are treating Nourish Our Neighbors members while helping the homeless community.
On April 7th, 2024, Officer Zimmerman treated Mitchell West as a criminal by arresting, detaining, and searching him – all because he was helping feed those in need. Officer Zimmerman even asked one recipient of food if they’d like to press charges against the person feeding them.
As a city official, you were elected to represent the people of Dayton, OH, this includes the unhoused and hungry. Please repeal city ordinance #137-21 as it works against the welfare of your community without moral or ethical reasoning. Criminalizing helping hands isn’t the solution to the crisis your city and many other cities are facing. I implore you to find a more respectful and compassionate strategy to help your community rather than relying on aggressive policing actions.
Respectfully,
<Your Name>