Care-A-Van suspended by City Health Department
Mary Scott
Issue date: 12/6/05 Section: News
The sandwiches are prepared by students wearing sanitary gloves, wrapped and they remain in wrappings until they are given out. Because of the manner in which the food is prepared and the fact that it is given for free, many volunteers are left questioning the validity of the suspension.
"We made the argument [to the city health official] what would happen if we go into 7-11, buy a sandwich and then give it to someone, how is that any different?" said Bell.
"We just want to ensure anyone eating anything, whether it's a hotdog from a street vender or a sandwich given out for free is eating at same level of safety as if you were eating in a restaurant," said Melissa Lindamood, a senior advisor at the Baltimore City Health Department.
Although the Health Department has said this is an attack on food borne illnesses, some members of the Care-A-Van believe there may be ulterior motives.
Ashley Biggs, student coordinator of the program, stated that they were not incredibly shocked about this because they had been asked to move from their distribution spot before. The spot at which they distribute the food is by City Hall, and some are concerned that this is more of an aesthetic issue rather than an issue of sanitation.
"Now that they've fixed up City Hall they don't want these people there, exposing the poverty in the area," said Sanna.
According to Mary Ann Cappelleri, an assistant director of CVS, the Health Department did apologize to the College for not informing them of the law changes properly, and are currently helping the program take the necessary steps to receive a license.
"We're highly embarrassed. It was completely our fault," said Lindamood on the Health Department's failure to notify the College. "We want to help them to find a new location to continue their work. That is our number one priority right now."
"We hope to have a license and be running again by the beginning of next semester," said Biggs.
"We made the argument [to the city health official] what would happen if we go into 7-11, buy a sandwich and then give it to someone, how is that any different?" said Bell.
"We just want to ensure anyone eating anything, whether it's a hotdog from a street vender or a sandwich given out for free is eating at same level of safety as if you were eating in a restaurant," said Melissa Lindamood, a senior advisor at the Baltimore City Health Department.
Although the Health Department has said this is an attack on food borne illnesses, some members of the Care-A-Van believe there may be ulterior motives.
Ashley Biggs, student coordinator of the program, stated that they were not incredibly shocked about this because they had been asked to move from their distribution spot before. The spot at which they distribute the food is by City Hall, and some are concerned that this is more of an aesthetic issue rather than an issue of sanitation.
"Now that they've fixed up City Hall they don't want these people there, exposing the poverty in the area," said Sanna.
According to Mary Ann Cappelleri, an assistant director of CVS, the Health Department did apologize to the College for not informing them of the law changes properly, and are currently helping the program take the necessary steps to receive a license.
"We're highly embarrassed. It was completely our fault," said Lindamood on the Health Department's failure to notify the College. "We want to help them to find a new location to continue their work. That is our number one priority right now."
"We hope to have a license and be running again by the beginning of next semester," said Biggs.