Volunteers park in the shadows of downtown Dallas and open their trunks. Smiles brighten their faces as they wave to lines of homeless individuals crowding the sidewalks. They pass out bags of food and materials — often with words of blessing.
But the scene often turns quickly from charity to chaos.
Parked cars, coolers, and folding tables line the sidewalks of S. Ervay Street, Corsicana Street, and Cadiz Street, drawing hundreds. Food wrappers, half-eaten meals, and trash pile up throughout the area. Volunteers do their best to clean up, though much of the trash remains.
Many well-intentioned volunteers meet at this location weekly. Others arrive once, pray, hand out supplies, and leave. The crowds and the aftermath continue to grow.
In recent years, waves of Dallas-area charity groups have frequented the blocks from Young Street to I-30 every Saturday – and to a lesser extent, every Sunday and Wednesday – feeding those experiencing homelessness.
Despite the best intentions, uncoordinated efforts can bring unfavorable consequences.
What was once a quiet display of compassion has grown into a full-scale logistical mess — creating tension among shelters, residents, city workers, and even among ministries themselves.
‘The Whole Neighborhood Is Upset’
David Woody, president of The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, said the uncoordinated street feedings generate widespread disruption.
“Folks like The Bridge, Downtown Dallas Inc., and the Sanitation Department from the City of Dallas have to come and clean up all the trash,” Woody told The Dallas Express.
The homeless leave “all kinds of trash” that “the whole neighborhood is upset about,” explained Woody.
Apart from the trash, homeless people at The Bridge often suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes from consuming unhealthy food, according to Woody.
Medical studies have consistently shown that individuals experiencing homelessness suffer disproportionately from chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease—complications that become harder to manage without access to refrigeration, medication, or consistent care.
A 2023 population-based study published in Diabetes Care found that people with a history of homelessness were nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for diabetes-related emergencies compared to the general population. Additional data from the National Academies of Medicine highlights the barriers to managing these conditions outside of shelter systems.
“Many of our homeless guests here on campus have diabetes, high blood pressure, they have other physical ailments that contribute to the disabilities,” Woody said. “So eating a nutritious meal is part of that recovery experience.”
When The Dallas Express visited the feeding, most charity groups were handing out pre-packaged food like cookies, cupcakes, and chips, or hot meals like mac and cheese and hot dogs.
Woody said the feedings — just blocks from The Bridge — may discourage people from engaging with shelter services. As The Dallas Express previously reported, The Bridge offers comprehensive programs to place people in jobs and housing.
“We all want something better,” Woody said. “They get to choose whether or not they will accept what we think would be better for them, but for us to enable them being in a situation that tugs at our heartstrings, it doesn’t make sense.”
Research published in BMC Public Health found that homeless individuals most often relied on food from donations rather than shelters, and that such reliance often met immediate needs without connecting people to the comprehensive services — such as case management, medical care, and job placement — that facilities like The Bridge provide.
‘A Chaotic Mess’ in the Name of Ministry
Pastor Earl Fitzsimmons, founder of Bring The Light Ministries, told The Dallas Express he was previously addicted and homeless — but he started feeding the homeless at 45 days sober, and has since been sober for nearly 19 years. For over 18 years, he has worked to help others tackle challenges he has known intimately.
Bring The Light has a long history of feeding homeless people near S. Ervay Street, according to Fitzsimmons. But he said the overall Saturday feeding scene downtown has become what he called a “chaotic mess,” prompting his group to scale back to going downtown at lunchtime on Saturday once per quarter.
“For years and years, we were one of the only groups feeding homeless people at 10 a.m. on Saturday,” he said. “Now, it’s like a buffet.”
“It’s a ministry, I’m called by God to do this,” he said. “However, there’s a difference between what we’re doing – we’re raising money for a facility to bring these people in – and the people who hang out in this area handing out pizzas and sandwiches.”
Fitzsimmons said he doesn’t believe that feeding people on the street keeps them out of shelters. He denied that “feeding a homeless person enables them to stay on the street.” Still, he expressed concern about what he sees as disorganized and duplicated efforts — often without cleanup, coordination, or follow-through.
The outreach efforts are “crazy,” according to Fitzsimmons, with homeless people “throwing half-eaten pieces of pizza on the ground” when another sandwich or hot dog grabs their attention.
“Jesus said, ‘Let those who have eyes see,’” Fitzsimmons said. “There’s way more food than there are people at that time in that area. You’re wasting your food.”
“Rarely, if ever, do I see other groups picking up trash in the streets besides Bring The Light Ministries.”
Bring The Light now hands out trash bags during events and connects homeless individuals with recovery services. When the city raised concerns about litter before COVID, Fitzsimmons said his group became more proactive.
In 2023, as previously reported by The Dallas Express, Fitzsimmons and his team helped clean an encampment under I-45.
“We will rent or take our trucks, and clean up and haul away trash from the tent cities,” he said.
Fitzsimmons acknowledged that many of the volunteers have good intentions.
“They’re doing a biblical work – meaning they’re feeding the poor, they’re feeding the homeless, which is a good thing,” he said.
But when Bring The Light offers to coordinate, Fitzsimmons said they can “never ever get a positive response.”
‘I’m Looking at What They’re Dropping’
On a recent Saturday, The Dallas Express visited the downtown corridor where dozens of volunteers were handing out food, water, and other supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Among them was Kenneth Reed, with Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church, who was offering water and praying with people near the curb.
“All we’re doing is coming out here, serving people that are just a little bit less fortunate,” Reed explained to The Dallas Express. “All glory we give to God.”
Reed said his group tries to keep the area clean. As he picked up trash near his vehicle, he gestured toward the surrounding sidewalks.
“I’m looking at what they’re dropping,” he said.
Throughout the blocks surrounding S. Ervay and Cadiz Streets, The Dallas Express observed piles of discarded food containers, uneaten items, and general litter. While some groups made an effort to clean up their immediate area, others appeared to leave behind the aftermath of their outreach.
The food being distributed included bottled water, pre-packaged oatmeal, peanut butter sandwiches, fast food meals, and snack bags. Some volunteers also handed out hygiene kits or offered prayers, while others provided bulk food without a clear plan for managing trash once recipients moved on.
Reed’s efforts reflected a broader concern echoed by shelter leaders and city officials — that without proper oversight, these well-intended handouts contribute to disorder, unsanitary conditions, and missed opportunities for more structured support.
Enforcement Without Action
Before the organizations and volunteers can feed those experiencing homelessness, Dallas code requires charities serving more than 75 individuals to notify the city at least 24 hours beforehand. If they expect to serve fewer than 75, they can notify the city within 48 hours afterward.
During the Saturday morning that The Dallas Express was onsite, the outlet saw code compliance workers checking the sidewalks and various stations.
When they approached two men distributing food from the back of their car, the volunteers said they had not notified the city in advance.
The officers allowed them to continue serving food.
“It’s just pre-packaged? As long as it’s pre-packaged,” one worker said.
“If you guys ever do want to share hot food, it’s okay,” another said, handing the men a form.
The Dallas Express attempted to interview the men and the workers, but both declined to comment.
Despite repeated claims from city officials that supervision has increased, no citations have been issued this year for violations of the feeding ordinance. Rick Ericson, deputy director of communications for the City of Dallas, told The Dallas Express that the city’s Consumer Health team had engaged with 177 groups or individuals as of July 15.
According to Ericson, 18% of those groups have conducted feedings more than once, while 81.9% were one-time efforts.
When The Dallas Express visited the site, several city vehicles were present – including a pickup truck for waste, a police car for security, and cars with the Office of Emergency Management. Security from Downtown Dallas, Inc. also patrolled the area.
“We have heightened our supervisory presence,” Ericson said. “No citations have been issued at this time.”
He noted that once the city began promoting the advance-notice requirement, there was a 35% drop in repeat feedings, and a “clear downward trend” in total events week over week.
Since May 22, notification compliance among groups feeding more than 75 people rose from 28.95% to 51.11%, according to Ericson. For groups serving fewer than 75, compliance increased from 6.25% to 37.5%.
Saturday remains the busiest day for feedings, accounting for 68.9% of events, followed by Sunday at nearly 25%.
Another Path
Some local leaders believe Dallas could benefit from looking at how other cities handle public feeding efforts.
Vicar Dustin Messer of All Saints Dallas, an Anglican church in the middle of the feedings, told The Dallas Express the “general disorder” in the area makes him concerned for homeless people.
“I don’t at all question people’s motives,” Messer said. “As I drive down and see people handing out warm mayonnaise sandwiches that could give someone food poisoning, I worry about the disorder caused by that for the sake of homeless people.”
Messer pointed to one example of how disorder can escalate: On Christmas Eve 2021, a nearby gift distribution led to a fight in a parking lot. One person was shot and killed.
Without controls like security or trash cans, “people can be violent,” according to Messer.
He believes Dallas should consider the more structured systems adopted in cities like Houston and San Diego.
Houston asks homeless feeding groups to register with the city, get free “food handling training,” get consent from the property owner at the location, and schedule their service for maximum efficiency.
San Diego County regulates charity feeding operations’ food quality, temperature, and cleanliness. When distributing hot food or pre-packaged perishable food, they must register with the Department of Environmental Health and Quality and provide proof of nonprofit status.
“I think they’re trying to be creative about it,” Messer said. “They’re just realizing disorder isn’t good for anybody, including the homeless.”
While Dallas has required notice, enforcement has been inconsistent — prompting some leaders to look elsewhere for ideas.
The Divide Between Groups
While some volunteer organizations coordinate closely with the city and take steps to clean up after their outreach, others do not.
Dorcas Heart, with Mena Ohwo, feeds people experiencing homelessness on the last Saturday of every month and hands out hygiene kits — including toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, lotion, and sanitizer — along with sleeping bags when possible. Ohwo said her group always notifies the city before each event and comes prepared with trash bags to clean the area.
“We come with trash bags so we can clean the area,” she said, pointing to a volunteer picking up debris nearby.
The worker told The Dallas Express they were part of the city’s cleanup crew assigned to the Saturday feedings and that they regularly haul away multiple bags of trash from the blocks around S. Ervay and Cadiz Streets.
The Walter Bruce Foundation sets up weekly on Saturday mornings, handing out meals in white foam boxes — many of which were later seen littered across surrounding blocks. Walter Bruce told The Dallas Express he began the effort as a personal covenant with God. His group also distributes clothing and hygiene items, and he said they notify the city in advance.
“We give them food for a week,” Bruce said. “We have bags where they can pick anything they want, from perishables, whole foods, cookies…”
Asked about cleanup, Bruce pointed to volunteers nearby collecting trash.
“If we make it dirty, the city won’t allow it,” Bruce said. “So we have to make sure we keep it clean so we don’t have any pushback.”
However, other ministries have scaled back their cleanup efforts or rely entirely on city crews.
Chantrell Lacy, with the Ministry of Transformation, told The Dallas Express her group initially helped with cleanup, but they now rely on the city.
“We were prepared to do those things,” she said. “But right now, the City of Dallas pretty much helps out with that.”
Chandrea Middlebrook, from Run It Up Dallas, said during a Sunday feeding, her group tries to be responsible — but acknowledged the limits of control.
“We’re doing our best to clean up behind ourselves,” she said. “Obviously, we can’t do anything once the residents take the food.”
The contrast between coordinated, recurring groups and more casual, pop-up efforts remains stark. And while most volunteers appear motivated by compassion, city officials and local ministries say good intentions don’t always result in good outcomes.
Whether structured or spontaneous, nearly all these groups share a common intent: to help. But the long-term impact of those efforts is now a matter of serious concern.
Final Reflections
From code enforcement to cleanup, feeding efforts in downtown Dallas operate in a gray area — caught between charitable impulse and community impact.
Those with long-term experience in street outreach say the difference between meaningful service and disorder often comes down to planning, follow-through, and whether the effort is truly embedded in the work of recovery.
Pastor Earl Fitzsimmons, who has spent nearly two decades ministering to the homeless, described the problem plainly.
“You’re never going to find me overly criticizing somebody who’s following a biblical imperative about, ‘Did you feed me when I was hungry,’ because that drives me too,” he said.
“However, there’s a real issue I have with what I call ‘hit and run’ people,” he added. “They hug a bunch of homeless people, they take a bunch of pictures, and hand out some pizzas. Then thumbs up – ‘Hey, we’re praying for you,’ maybe ‘Here’s some hygiene kits’ – and then leave a mess in the wake behind them.”
The mess, others say, is more than just physical — it’s the erosion of structure, accountability, and any real path out of homelessness.