No Thanksgiving dinner for those in need after N.J. community says group needs a permit

The Rev. Steve Brigham has spent 25 years providing food and clothing to those in need, regularly setting up a popup distribution site at Lakewood Township’s square with the help of volunteers.
That effort has at least temporarily been stopped after Brigham, founder of the Lakewood Community Outreach Ministry, was told by police he would need permits to set up in the area off Clifton Avenue and Third Street. He also wrote a Facebook post about being told he would need a permit.
“I’m hoping that things go back to the way they were because there was no problem,” Brigham told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday, adding he doesn’t expect a resolution before Thanksgiving when he typically hosts a dinner in the square, something he has done for the last 15 years.
Brigham also runs Destiny’s Bridge, a charity providing small homes to homeless seeking temporary shelters. He also formed homeless camps in Lakewood and Toms River.
“Lakewood Township looks forward to allowing Destiny’s Bridge to distribute food and clothing to the homeless in Town Square this year, as they have in years past,” Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles said in a statement Tuesday. “We are currently in touch with Destiny Bridge’s attorney to ensure that the homeless can be helped in the most optimal manner.”
Brigham said he was approached by police earlier this month and told he would not be allowed to distribute food and clothing in the square without a permit. He said he objected, saying he’d been handing out supplies there for 25 years.
When volunteers returned the following week to distribute food and clothing, they were told by police to disperse, Brigham said, adding he was told by volunteers that eight police cars were at the square. Brigham said he told the volunteers to leave and they have not been back since.
Brigham said he applied for a permit, but, as of Tuesday, has not received a response to that application.
In 2022, Lakewood cut down trees in the square in an effort to discourage homeless from congregating there.
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Eric Conklin may be reached at [email protected].