General Discussion

madfloridian

(88,117 posts) Fri Nov 7, 2014, 03:53 AM Nov 2014

90 yr old Florida man will keep feeding homeless in spite of arrests.

What an amazing man!

Arrests Won't Stop Him From Helping

Homeless advocate Arnold Abbott, 90, director of the nonprofit group Love Thy Neighbor Inc., center, serves food to the homeless with the help of volunteers from a public parking lot next to the beach on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale.
LYNN SLADKY | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT LAUDERDALE | Despite being charged with violating a new law by feeding the homeless in South Florida, 90-year-old Arnold Abbott said he's not deterred and even went back out to serve more food at a public park.

....Abbott, affectionately known as "Chef Arnold," and two South Florida ministers were charged last weekend as they handed out food. They were accused of breaking the ordinance and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

"One of the police officers said, ‘Drop that plate right now,' as if I were carrying a weapon," Abbott said.

But on Wednesday night, Abbott and others served a four-course meal by the beach as police filmed from a distance and a crowd of nearly 100 mostly homeless and volunteers cheered their arrival.

"God bless you, Arnold!" some shouted. Others carried signs in support of Abbott.