ORANGE, Calif.—After serving the homeless population for over 37 years, Mary’s Kitchen bade volunteers a farewell July 10 as its officials look for a new location after the city asked the nonprofit to shutter for public safety concerns.
Relying on donations and volunteers, the food distribution center has been providing the less fortunate in the community with shower and laundry facilities, mailroom, and medical services since the mid-1980s.
City officials previously ordered the nonprofit to stop operation and move out of the current building at 517 W. Struck Avenue by June 10, citing concerns about its operation’s potentially attracting criminal activity and enabling—rather than resolving—homelessness….