The small nonprofit group is one of dozens that keep hundreds of Dallas' homeless residents from going hungry each day.

But within the last few weeks, police have asked The Sisters' Hands and other volunteers not to offer meals in their usual spots, often downtown parking lots, because property owners have complained about trespassing, litter and other problems.

Instead, the city has asked the street feeders to bring their meals to the city's Day Resource Center at 901 S. Ervay St., a few blocks away from City Hall. City officials met with about 60 food providers Saturday to talk about the issue and to coordinate a meal schedule.

Arvilla Pearson, one of The Sisters' Hands volunteers, said a police officer asked her group to leave a parking lot next to a South Dallas shelter where many homeless people congregate.

"He told us we can't feed there anymore," Ms. Pearson said.

Aiming for broad reach

Although many volunteers said they appreciate the Day Resource Center, they're concerned about reaching homeless people who won't go there. Some are in the outskirts of downtown. Others fear their identities will be tracked at the government-owned facility, which city officials said isn't true.

"We know there are 5,000 homeless people out there, and we know that one place isn't going to cut it," said the Rev. Kevin Olson, who assists True Jesus Church in Richardson to feed the homeless. "I know some of these people are drunks, but nevertheless they're human beings. ... If we treat them like animals, we're animals."

A line of homeless people wrapped around the Day Resource Center on Saturday as volunteers from Rip Parker's Homeless Ministry served chicken, eggs and other leftovers from a local Chinese food buffet. Volunteers have been chased off other properties, said William Edwards of the ministry.

"All we want is to be able to feed the hungry," Mr. Edwards said.

The organization is named for Rowland Hilary "Rip" Parker, who fed the homeless for more than 11 years until he died in November.

The homeless people who lined up for food at the Day Resource Center said the location has many benefits.

"It's easy and convenient," said Krishun Johnson, 35, who's been homeless for a year and has applied for disability payments to help her get off the streets. "Plus you can use the bathroom and wash your hands."

Regulating

The city has struggled for years about how to address the religious groups and other volunteers that take food to the streets for the homeless.

The city considered banning street feeding to the homeless more than a decade ago but never adopted a measure, in part because of opposition. In May 2000, a downtown homeless committee began discussing a ban but backed off because it had been strongly opposed by religious groups in other cities.

City officials began enforcing street-feeding regulations in March 2002 that required providers to serve food at certain temperatures and conditions. But the city stopped enforcement after church groups and the homeless criticized the move as an effort to drive the homeless away.

A parking lot by City Hall was a regular stop for many groups until the complaints increased recently.

The city is working on an ordinance to address street feeders, but it won't be ready for months. Meanwhile, the city helped coordinate food providers who have formed the Feed My Sheep Coalition. The city also is offering voluntary food-safety courses starting Jan. 31.

If food providers want to serve at places other than the Day Resource Center, city officials recommend they get permission from the property owners. Eventually, the city hopes to open a homeless assistance facility with a large kitchen and dining area where street feeders can serve their food.

The city plans a public hearing at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 to get input on plans for the facility. Voters approved $3 million for the facility in May, but that's only a portion of the money needed.

City officials emphasized at the meeting Saturday that they do not want to stop anyone from helping the homeless.

"We're not trying to set up any rules or regulations that would force you not to provide food," said Karen Boudreaux, who manages the city's homeless services. "I know it's a labor of love."