A lil’ food distribution program that’s been dishing up free lunches in a city parking garage for a good five years might be on the move, thanks to some downtown businesses that reckon it’s bringing in a sketchy crowd.
The program, run by Food Not Cops, has been serving up some home-cooked meals, mostly to folks experiencing homelessness, over at the Marketplace Garage. But lately, city councilors in Burlington have been chatting about relocating the operation to a new spot.
After a lengthy debate and some public input, the councilors decided to have Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak come up with a plan to shift the program elsewhere. The resolution they passed aims to support downtown businesses and address crime, with some peeps arguing that the lunch service at the garage ain’t cutting it anymore.
While some downtown peeps are all for moving the lunch program, there’s another group pushing back. Around three dozen businesses and organizations, including Betty’s Bikes and T. Ruggs Tavern, are saying that kicking out the lunch program ain’t gonna solve the underlying issues of poverty and disorder. They reckon it’s more about addressing the root causes rather than just relocating the program.
At a recent gathering at City Hall Park, nearly 100 supporters of Food Not Cops showed up to protest the proposal and dish out some free grub. They believe that the lunch service actually makes Burlington a safer place, ’cause people are less likely to act out when they’ve had a good meal.
During a public forum, a bunch of peeps shared how Food Not Cops has helped them out, from a college student to a homeless individual. They invited councilors to come check out the daily lunch event and see how it brings together folks from different walks of life.
Some councilors are on board with moving the program to a new location, possibly with better facilities, while others are keen on keeping it in place. But no matter what happens, it looks like there’s still some work to be done in finding common ground on public safety issues in Burlington.
Despite the ongoing debate, the resolution also includes steps to support downtown businesses, like improving communication about Main Street construction and considering a PR campaign to boost Burlington’s image as a vibrant and inclusive space. It also suggests expanding the free parking program and ensuring that the police department responds promptly to reports of crimes.
So, while the future of the lunch program might be up in the air, one thing’s for sure — there’s a lot more to sort out when it comes to keeping Burlington safe and thriving.
