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Group feeds hungry people in Ashland's Railroad Park But the Friday gatherings have drawn some complaints from neighbors Comment By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 4:21 PM Updated Jul 11, 2016 at 4:27 PM By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 4:21 PM Updated Jul 11, 2016 at 4:27 PM » Social News Rain fell in bursts, and the people, some under the weight of backpacks, some barefoot, most soaked, huddled under a green tent-like shelter for a free meal served by a long line of volunteers who prepared and served food to anyone who showed up Friday at Railroad Park in Ashland. They do it every week. And nearly every week “Redwood," a local homeless resident, arrives hungry and excited. “This is important," he says determinedly of having the meal available and the possibility it may have to move on. "We have to start a letter-writing campaign. ... We need events like this everywhere. We need to write letters to council people, senators and the governor.” On this Friday, roughly 60 people were fed despite the rain and the recent concerns expressed about allowing the group to use the park for their meal. Wellness for Everyone organizers Vanessa Martynse Houk and Jason Houk said they got word of complaints from neighbors and a suggestion that it might be better to "move on." “After talks with the mayor, police chief and a few city councilors," Vanessa Houk said, "I felt compelled to say a few things. It's important to note that we have not been asked to move the meal, only gently told that these city officials are getting some email complaints (which sounds like the same couple of people).” Complaints about homeless people are not new, according to Houk, but she fears there’s a move to push people out of gathering spaces that she says are intended to bolster community. “This is my take on 'the problem with the homeless' — in some ways organizing public community meals for the homeless is a little like being homeless, your presence makes some people feel uncomfortable, and eventually you’ll be pressured to move on.” The issue came up Tuesday at a City Council goal-setting session. Councilor Rich Rosenthal suggested creating a low-cost or free permitting system to use public parks to avoid scheduling conflicts and so that parks officials could oversee activities. In a discussion held during a break in the meeting, councilors expressed concerns about the increase of homeless people in the A Street neighborhood in the Railroad District. Councilor Stefani Seffinger said she referred the complaints to the Parks & Recreation Department. “They were the usual complaints: bad language, dogs and smoking,” Councilor Carol Voison said. “Give them a place to stay, and we’d solve the problems." “Our homeless population has been pushed out of the downtown, and there is nowhere for them to go," Vanessa Houk said. "When we use Railroad Park, everyone is invited. If someone wants to use the space, and we’re already there, talk to us — we’re obviously really good at sharing and we would demonstrate that with you, too.” Houk said there’s a disconnect between suggestions and the reality she faces in feeding the hungry. “The proposed solution that I keep hearing goes something like this, 'Find a church who will let you use their space.' The problem with that is that our churches are all already stretched thin. They're doing everything they can. Knowing that we'll be facing extreme weather (possible smoke from fires in late summer and cold in fall/winter) has inspired us to be looking for an indoor space all this time, and we haven't come up with anything yet. "Renting Pioneer Hall or the Community Center is expensive and requires insurance. That would add almost $1,000 a month to the cost of these meals unless the city and parks department finds a way to absorb those fees.” Since May 6, Wellness for Everyone has served about 400 meals in Railroad Park, according to Houk. “That’s an average of 50 per week in what I like to think of as 'The Crockpot Brigade,' as we demonstrate love in action. It’s an all-volunteer effort, and dozens of volunteers help make it happen.” The city of Ashland has made no decisions about permitting park usage, and the Houks have not been officially asked to organize elsewhere, but they are seeking an indoor space for the meals if anyone is willing to offer one. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Julie Akins for the Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 11, 2016 at 4:21 PM Updated Jul 11, 2016 at 4:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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