San Francisco opens a city market providing free groceries to qualifying residents as a supplemental source, costing city taxpayers $5.5 million. The city also faced backlash for a program providing free alcohol to homeless alcoholics as a measure to keep them off the streets.
Key Points
Food Empowerment Market assists food stamp holders close to the end of the month.
Managed Alcohol Program provides regimented doses of alcohol to homeless alcoholics.
Pros
Food Empowerment Market provides free groceries as a supplemental source for food stamp holders.
Managed Alcohol Program aims to keep homeless alcoholics off the streets and reduce strain on emergency services.
Cons
Critics question the effectiveness of giving alcohol to alcoholics, suggesting funding treatment programs instead.