HOUSTON — While many gathered around the table with family and close friends to share a meal this holiday season, others lined up on street corners to do the same.
"Here on Christmas day when everything is shut down, it’s hard to find food," said Bruce Jernigan who's been homeless for the last three months.
It's why people like Jernigan are grateful this holiday season for organizations like Food Not Bombs.
They've been serving vegan and vegetarian meals to the homeless on the streets of downtown Houston for four nights a week since 1994.
"Thankfully there’s no police presence so it looks like we won’t be getting a ticket," said Brandon Walsh with Food Not Bombs. "Normally we do on Mondays and Wednesdays."
That’s because in 2012, the city passed a Charitable Feeding Ordinance requiring groups to get permission from property owners if they feed more than five people in any given area, citing safety concerns. The city tickets those who violate the ordinance.
"In total, we have collected 84 citations since March 1 of this year," explained Walsh.
The city has designated the site at 61 Riesner Street for such activities, but Food Not Bombs refuses to leave.
"A hot meal is something that everybody in the world deserves and we’re all glad to be out here giving that to anybody that wants to come and get it," said Jacob Martin, a volunteer with Food Not Bombs.
Those who received the meal were thankful.
"The food energized me," said Jernigan. "Almost make me want to jump to the sky."
Organizers with Food Not Bombs said hey will continue to serve people downtown despite the ordinance in hopes of the new mayor's administration overturning it.