A dispute between a Chicago Alderman and the Salvation Army has no clear-cut end in sight.
Ald. James Cappleman reportedly scheduled a meeting with Salvation Army’s Captain Nancy Powers to "explore options" to combat homelessness in the Uptown area, but instead met with her colleagues who later stormed out of the meeting, according to a statement released by the alderman.
Cappleman said he was concerned the Salvation Army’s Food Truck Unit was creating a “disincentive to those in need to receive sustained help,” and contributing to chronic homelessness in the area.
“I do believe her heart is in the right place,” Cappleman said. “But I have to insist that when we are addressing serious issues of chronic homelessness in this area we have to ensure that we're all working together. that means that I expect the Salvation Army to work with me and these other social services to ensure that the homeless get the help they need.”
Originally, the Salvation Army reportedly planned to take the food truck to a new location "where it was wanted," but Ald. Cappleman said the organization has decided to work with him.
Cappleman pointed out that there are six soup kitchens near the area the Salvation Army truck dispenses and if the truck does move, those using its services would have other means of finding meals.
“No one should ever have to be worried where his or her next meal will be,” he said.
