{"id":1625,"date":"2026-06-12T12:34:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arizonamovinginsider.com\/?p=1625"},"modified":"2026-06-12T12:34:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:34:20","slug":"city-of-phoenix-faces-lawsuit-regarding-the-new-ordinance-to-regulate-food-distribution-medical-aid-in-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arizonamovinginsider.com\/?p=1625","title":{"rendered":"City of Phoenix faces lawsuit regarding the new ordinance to regulate food distribution, medical aid in parks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PHOENIX \u2014 A legal battle is underway over Phoenix\u2019s new ordinance regulating food distribution in parks. A judge has temporarily blocked the city from enforcing the rule against one homeless ministry.<\/p>\n

Read more Two teens seriously hurt after being hit by vehicle near 16th St and Indian School Rd<\/a><\/p>\n

For the first time since the policy took effect, volunteers with Saint Herman\u2019s Table returned to feed the homeless at Cave Creek Park on Thursday.<\/p>\n

“When people come out to give us this food, it helps us out,\u201d Tiffany Arbanas, a meal recipient, said.<\/p>\n

The volunteers are protected by a temporary restraining order granted by a federal judge.<\/p>\n

“I’m glad that we have the restraining order, so that I, and my other volunteers don’t have to worry about getting tickets or potentially getting arrested,\u201d Lance Brace, Saint Herman\u2019s Table Founder, said.<\/p>\n

The ministry sued the city after Phoenix passed the ordinance requiring a special permit for groups distributing food or medical aid in parks, and limiting each eligible park to two permits a month. Violating it could result in a class one misdemeanor.<\/p>\n

“To me, this is a direct fulfillment of the commissions of God,\u201d Brace, an Orthodox Christian, said.<\/p>\n

In the lawsuit filed against the City of Phoenix, attorneys with the Christian Legal Society argue that feeding those in need is part of the group\u2019s religious mission and needs to be protected.<\/p>\n

“This is just a plain case of discrimination against religiously motivated people doing the same thing that lots of people do in a park, and that’s eat,\u201d Steve McFarland, Christian Legal Society Center for Law and Religious Freedom Director, said. “That is just bold-faced discrimination that the First Amendment forbids.\u201d<\/p>\n

The restraining order only protects Saint Herman\u2019s Table for two weeks while the case moves forward.<\/p>\n

Read more MOST ACCURATE FORECAST: Rain chances return to Arizona<\/a><\/p>\n

In a statement to ABC15, the City says the policy “makes no distinction based on religion.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City “will comply with the Court\u2019s very narrow temporary order,\u201d but maintains the ordinance “applies equally to anyone who wants to hold a feeding event at a park,\u201d and is designed to manage competing uses of city parks.<\/p>\n

Read the full statement from the City of Phoenix:<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will comply with the Court\u2019s very narrow temporary order, which applies only to St. Herman\u2019s Table and Lance Brace, for two weeks. The City Council adopted this ordinance to ensure that all residents can enjoy their neighborhood parks, and it applies equally to anyone who wants to hold a feeding event at a park. It makes no distinction based on religion. The ordinance simply provides an effective tool to regulate and manage the growing competition in City parks between food distribution events and other, more traditional park uses, like children\u2019s play, youth sports, adult recreation, and family outings. We encourage anyone who wants to provide food to people experiencing homelessness to participate in Healthy Giving. Residents can find opportunities to give back to trusted organizations at <\/i>givesmartaz.org [givesmartaz.org]<\/u><\/i>.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

In court filings, the City cites complaints about unsanitary conditions in parks, and includes photos of trash and alleged drug use during food distribution events.<\/p>\n

The Office of Homeless Solutions also points to “dedicated outreach teams in parks every day connecting people with safe indoor spaces and other services, while supporting the accountability our community is calling for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full statement from the Office of Homeless Solutions:<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

“The City of Phoenix is committed to helping people experiencing homelessness connect with the resources they need, while also keeping our parks safe, clean and available for all our residents. No other Arizona city invests more in shelter, outreach, and affordable housing than Phoenix. Phoenix is home to about 35% of the region\u2019s population and 82% of the region\u2019s shelter beds, including our Safe Outdoor Space. Our commitment far exceeds that of the state and all other jurisdictions. Since launching the Office of Homeless Solutions in 2022, Phoenix has added more than 1,200 shelter beds and 300 Safe Outdoor Spaces, and revamped services to remove barriers to help. We have dedicated outreach teams in parks every day connecting people with safe indoor spaces and other services, while supporting the accountability our community is calling for. With the Mayor and Council\u2019s newly approved budget adding nearly $20 million for Office of Homeless Solutions operations, we\u2019re continuing to strengthen our response. But homelessness is a regional issue – we need our state, county, federal, and nonprofit partners to join us in funding and advocating for long-term solutions that truly end homelessness.”<\/i><\/p>\n

Saint Herman\u2019s Table has not applied for one of the new permits, saying the application process is too restrictive.<\/p>\n

“The rules, as published, it’s impossible to apply for a permit,\u201d Brace said. “I specifically don’t think criminalization of people that are trying to help is the right approach.\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, volunteers keep showing up each week.<\/p>\n

“I appreciate it a lot, because like I said, there’s days I’ll go without eating,\u201d Arbanas said.<\/p>\n

Read more Mesa police launch \u2018Operation Chill Two\u2019 to guide and protect local teens this summer<\/a><\/p>\n

As the legal challenge continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Days after a new Phoenix ordinance regulating food distribution and medical aid in parks took effect, a federal judge temporarily blocked the city from enforcing it against one homeless ministry.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news"],"yoast_head":"\nCity of Phoenix faces lawsuit regarding the new ordinance to regulate food distribution, medical aid in parks - Arizona Moving Insider<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/arizonamovinginsider.com\/?p=1625\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"City of Phoenix faces lawsuit regarding the new ordinance to regulate food distribution, medical aid in parks - 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