EL CAJON, Calif. -- El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells says he continues to stand by a temporary ban on food sharing in public spaces that prompted the arrest of a dozen people last Sunday for allegedly violating the law.
Volunteers, including a 14-year-old, who were working at a homeless feeding event in Wells Park were issued notices to appear in court on misdemeanor charges.
The El Cajon City Council passed the ordinance banning food sharing in public spaces back in October citing concerns over a Hepatitis A outbreak which prompted San Diego County health officials to declare an ongoing state of emergency.
Mayor Wells said the food sharing ban will be lifted when the county lifts its emergency declaration.
In the meantime Wells said there are other resources available for hungry people. The following was provided by the City of El Cajon:
If you are seeking a meal in El Cajon or wish to volunteer your time and resources to assist those in need, the City of El Cajon encourages you to visit one of the 13 community organizations listed below that provide meals and food. Also, there are 25 El Cajon restaurants that accept EBT cards, as well as 7-Eleven and most grocery stores, to secure a hot meal. Following are locations in El Cajon to obtain food:
Community Organizations
Church of the Nazarene (San Diego Food Bank) · 1123 N Mollison Ave · Second Thursday, 8:30am-10:30am
Crisis House · 1034 Magnolia · Mondays & Fridays – 8:30am-11:15am & 1:00pm-3:30pm /
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays – 8:30am-11:15am
Foothills Christian Fellowship · 315 Bradley St · Tuesdays, 9:00am
Gateway Church · 1280 N. Johnson Ave #12 · Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:00pm / Fridays, 9:00am-12:00pm
Hands of Grace Fellowship · 450 N Pierce St · First Tuesdays, 6:00 pm-8:00pm
Heartland Community Foursquare Church · 1012 Bradley · Third Tuesdays, 10:00am / Wednesdays, 3:00pm / Sundays, 11:30am
Holy Trinity · 405 Ballard St · Monday-Friday, 10:00am-11:00am
Home Start, Inc. · 131 Avocado Ave · Monday-Friday, business hours
Meridian Baptist Church · 660 S Third St · First & last Thursday, 6:00pm
Our Lady of Grace · 2466 Navajo Rd · Monday-Friday, 9:00am-11:00am
Salvation Army · 1011 E Main St.
Monday – 10:00am-12:00 noon & 1:30pm-4:00pm
Tuesday – 10:30am-12:00 noon & 1:30pm-4:00pm
Wednesday – 1:30pm-4:00pm
Thursday – 10:30am-12:00 noon & 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday – 9:00am-12:00 noon & 1:30pm-4:00pm
Span. Church of the Nazarene · 340 South 3rd St. · Last Saturdays, 8:00am-10:00am
St Kieran’s Church · 1510 Greenfield Dr. · Saturdays, 10:00am-11:30am
Restaurants Accepting EBT
Carl's Jr · 520 North Second St
City Bistro · 1248 East Main St
Denny’s · 2642 Jamacha Rd · 665 North Mollison Ave
Domino’s Pizza · 936 Broadway · 1104 E Washington
El Pollo Loco · 1145 Avocado Avenue · 494 Broadway
Harvest International Market · 733 E Main St
Jack In The Box · 350 E Chase Ave · 2733 Navajo Rd · 393 W Main St · 14039 Business 8 · 1700 E Main St ·
495 N Second St · 140 Broadway
KFC · 724 Fletcher Parkway · 2949 Jamacha Rd · 555 N 2nd St
Memo's Bagel Café · 2650 Jamacha Rd
MJs Family Restaurant · 576 North Second St
Pizza Hut · 1255 Avocado Boulevard · 1762 North Second St
Rally’s Restaurant · 1261 East Main St
Wendy's · 871 Broadway
