OBSERVER Photo by Chirstopher Blakeslee “Lil P” Paul was living under the Main Street Viaduct recently, and is suffering from a lack of food, water and and shelter. Paul has become dependent on several of the local area food pantries and Conduit Ministries Food Truck program to meet his nutritional substance needs.

On the heels of Thursday’s emergency declaration by Mayor Kim Ecklund, several local area faith leaders and non-profit organizations vow to continue to feed and support those in need.

Part of Eklund’s state of emergency declaration asks those who want to help the homeless and the hungry to funnel their help through structured programs and organizations that help promote self-sufficiency and sustainable support to the homeless.

Some faith-based organizations and non-profits have taken issue with parts of the emergency declaration.

“Over the past several months, we have seen our Sunday afternoon dinner ministry go from roughly 50-80 meals served to regularly serving 300-400 people per week. At the same time, virtually every food pantry in the city is empty and needs to be restocked by regional ministries. This growing problem is indicative of a countywide (even tri-county) wide issue of food insecurity. This is not a new issue; it is just one facet,” wrote Conduit Ministries Lead Pastor, Rev. Cameron Lienhart, in a Facebook post. “If I could say one thing the loudest in response to the state of emergency, it would be this – compassion does not have unintended consequences. Compassion is an end in itself. Jesus fed the large crowds of hungry people because ‘he had compassion on them as sheep without a shepherd’ (Matthew 9:36). The very intended consequence of feeding people from a place of compassion is that you look, love, and serve a lot like Jesus did. And while there are some that may choose to believe that feeding the hungry limits their self-sufficiency. …I do not. No act of love is ever wasted.”

Lienharts not the only person who has taken offense to some of the language used in the emergency declaration.

“Calling the homeless campers is insulting,” said Bonnie Weber from Be the Change you Want to See in Jamestown. “If they’re campers, then where’s their water and electricity? …Where’s the check-in, check-out place. They are human beings who are homeless, hurting and hungry, plain and simple.”

Lienhart said he has an understanding and appreciation for where the city’s elected officials are coming from, and how frustrated and exasperated they appear with the growing crisis.

“I understand the frustrations of the local government. I’ve seen the looks of exasperation, desperation, and overwhelming as they try to faithfully, shrewdly, and efficiently address this growing problem. While I may disagree with some of their methods, I have appreciation for their positions and pray for their good and the good of the city.”

However, Lienhart is firm in the church’s commitment to feeding and supporting those in need or those requesting help.

“Over the past several months, we have seen our Sunday afternoon dinner ministry go from roughly 50 to 80 meals served, to regularly serving 300 to 400 people per week. At the same time, virtually every food pantry in the city is empty and needs to be restocked by regional ministries. This growing problem is indicative of a countywide (even tri-county) wide issue of food insecurity. This is not a new issue; it is just one facet,” he wrote. “We will continue to feed people in the Jamestown and regional area as much as we have resources to do so. Currently we offer hot meals on Sunday afternoons in Brooklyn Square at our food truck starting at 3 p.m. until gone. Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., we are in a different park to serve a meal to anyone that needs one.

One local church leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the church may begin a mobile food pantry program.

“We have a food pantry program, but we may look at starting to take it mobile,” the leader said. “We’re still in the process of clearing it with our congregation and we may reach out to the mayor’s office soon, but we’re just in the preliminary stages, and I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself without authorization.”

The Rev. Luke Fodor, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St. could not be reached for comment. However, St. Luke’s Church has a monthly community dine-in program and food access program.

For “Lil P” Paul, a homeless man, he’s all but become dependent on local food pantries and mobile food trucks like Conduit Ministries provides.

“I’d probably die without the help from the local churches and nice people,” he said. “I’m hungry. We’re all hungry down here; I’m not a dam camper. If I am, I don’t see a tent, trailer, hot water or a shower and bathroom facility.”

In a previous statement to The Post-Journal, Carmelo Hernandez, Chautauqua County commissioner of social services and director of mental hygiene stated. “I want to reassure our community that there is no shame in using these resources–they are here to help you. In tough economic times like these, it’s perfectly okay to seek extra support. That’s why these services exist. If you find that your needs are greater than what a soup kitchen or food pantry can provide, please reach out to Social Services for further assistance by calling 716-661-8200. You can also apply for the Supplemental Nurtition Assistance Program (SNAP) online at myBenefits (ny.gov) and in most cases a phone interview can be done. I want to express our deepest gratitude to the food pantries, their generous donors, and the dedicated volunteers who make these vital services possible.”