LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – A Longview organization is searching for answers after a visit from the city’s health inspectors brought some of its operations to a halt.

One Love Longview feeds the homeless near downtown. Founder and CEO Amanda Veasy says inspectors told her about a month ago that they had been serving food without a permit.

Veasy said they do not prepare food themselves. They serve food donated by local restaurants.

“They contacted us and said there were reports that we were serving food and that they felt we needed to get a permit to sell food,” Veasy said.

The city says One Love did not apply for a permit. Veasy said to get a permit, they would have to spend thousands on plumbing in a building that was recently for sale.

“One Love takes care of us, the city of Longview does not,” said Richard Keith, who has been homeless for five years.

Below is the City of Longview’s full statement on this matter:

Yesterday, members of the Environmental Health Department visited One Love Longview. In order to continue preparing and serving food at the facility, One Love Longview must obtain a health permit. The organization does not currently have an application for a permit. While distribution of pre-packaged food is permitted without a permit, health permits are required for all establishments that prepare and serve food to the public.

The City of Longview Environmental Health Department promotes public health awareness through education, permitting, inspections, and enforcement of Texas Food Establishment Codes and local city ordinances. These services include restaurants, public events, swimming pools, temporary events, and mosquito control.

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