Proposed St. Louis bill would require a license to give to the homeless

Homeless advocates say a bill being considered by St. Louis aldermen would bar them from helping people in need.

The measure would require a vendor’s license to distribute food, blankets or other goods on city sidewalks or parks — even if those items are being given away. It would also make it illegal to give anything away between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

New Life Evangelistic Center founder Rev. Larry Rice called a news conference Wednesday to denounce the bill.

“This would make it illegal to feed the hungry, to find somebody out on the streets at night that’s cold and offer them a blanket or a warm place to stay,” said Rice, “I find it personally horrifying.”

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