MASON CITY – Police were called to the Mason City Fire Department and Mercy Hospital for a man asking for food Wednesday.
According to police, Mason City police officers were disptached to the Fire Department headquarters, 350 5th Street SW, for a “suspicious subject” who was asking for food. Police said the man was also asking Mercy Hospital employees for money in a parking lot at 1000 4th Street SW.
Police said that Mercy Administration wanted him to leave the property. Police advised the man that he was not wanted and asked him to move on.
According to the latest US Census statistics, 16.6% of Mason City residents are below the poverty level, compared with 12.2% overall in the state of Iowa.
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Mercy wanted him removed because he was competition for them. They are now begging their empolyees for money to help cover expenses.
WWJD Becareful He could have been your savior!!!
Most states have emergency food support provisions. You can get what was use to called “food stamps” the same day. Dollars to donuts Iowa frowns on this.
Well, how lovely for the Sisters of the Unmerciful to shine the man on….
Their tenets include stewardship, preference for the poor, all sorts of Christian values.
Mercy supports the Homeless Shelters….So, where is the compassion, hands and hearts they profess.
This really pisses me off. I was the co-founder of the first homeless shelter here in Mason City and the needs here are unimaginable.
Mercy Administration should be ashamed of themselves…
You didn’t bother to investigate. He was asking for food at the MCFD. He was asking for money from the emplyees in the parking lot. He didn’t need MEDICAL assistance which Mercy could supply. Just another pan handler ask to move on.
Mercy has social workers, mercy is connected to serve more than just your medical needs. Mercy also has 5 east… If this person was mentally ill they could have gotten him help and fed him. They could have connected him to DHS, COunty Case Management, NIVC for a job… all sorts of things to improve his way of life instead we have no heart for the poor or those who are disabled mentally. Call the cops and get the trash out of our site… SAD I agree with Mary Beth.
Oh, I did. In Matthew it says that you feed the hungry. They have a Social Services Dept. They have a cafeteria. They have Father Gehling, who works with the homeless every day. They support all the homeless shelters and help with the Community Kitchen. All over the hospital you see the Beatitudes in stained glass, you see their statement of core values etc. It all all includes helping the poorest of the poor. Judge not lest you be judged. Until u talk with the person, you don’t know!
@Marybeth-It does seem a little harsh on their part. Possibly a ride to the Community Kitchen was in order rather than telling him to move on. The money part I can understand somewhat. That is just panhandling.
Let’s not get all hysterical before we get the facts. Just sayin….