Source: Llovera Comida

As a charitable organization in Costa Rica is preparing to feed thousands of indigent people who make the streets of San Jose their home, a 90-year old man in Florida has been arrested for doing the same thing for his beloved community. Arnold Abbott, a World War II veteran and kind-hearted man, was arrested along with two Christian ministers by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in early November for providing food for the homeless. Mr. Abbott, however, is engaging in civil disobedience by undauntedly continuing with his mission.

As reported by the Associated Press (AP) and published by the Miami Herald:

Abbott, affectionately known as “Chef Arnold,” and two South Florida ministers were charged last weekend as they handed out food. They were accused of breaking the ordinance and each faces up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

“One of the police officers said, ‘Drop that plate right now,’ as if I were carrying a weapon,” Abbott said

But on Wednesday night, Abbott and others served a four-course meal by the beach as police filmed from a distance and a crowd of nearly 100 mostly homeless and volunteers cheered their arrival.

As explained by the AP, Fort Lauderdale is one of various cities in the United States where feeding the homeless without a permit is illegal. Ostensibly, these municipal ordinances are designed to control homeless populations who arrive in South Florida from colder climes in the U.S. As an example, the AP offered the City of Columbia in South Carolina, where permits to feed the homeless cost $150 and must be filed two weeks in advance. Thankfully, Costa Rica has no such restrictions.

Lloverá Comida (Food Will Rain Down) is an independent group of about 10 organizers who coordinate services for the numerous homeless populations across Costa Rica, mainly in the Central Valley and the Greater San Jose Metropolitan Area (Spanish initials: GAM). Lloverá Comida has a flagship event that takes place each December, whereby they not only serve a delicious breakfast and lunch for the homeless but also offer showers, haircuts, medical exams, dental screenings, and placement in a shelter. This year’s event will take place in Plaza Viquez on December 7, and they are looking for volunteers. Plenty of food was served last year; in fact, there was so much food donated by kind people and business entities that most of the 1,800 homeless diners got seconds and left with brown bags.