90-Year-Old Who Was Cited for Feeding the Hungry Sent Vegan Food Supply

PETA’s Christian Outreach Division Rushes a Box of Healthy Plant-Based Food to Support Good Samaritan’s Humanitarian Efforts

For Immediate Release:
November 7, 2014

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

Arnold Abbott, the 90-year-old founder of Love Thy Neighbor, has already faced arrest for feeding Fort Lauderdale’s homeless community—and PETA’s Christian outreach division wants to help him. In a package sent to Mr. Abbott, PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—donated a hefty supply of vegan food to help Love Thy Neighbor continue to help the homeless while sparing animals immense suffering on farms, in slaughterhouses, and on the decks of fishing boats.

“Christian compassion should be extended to everyone, from Fort Lauderdale’s homeless community to the chickens, cows, and pigs killed by the billions for food every year,” says Sarah King, PETA’s director of Christian outreach. “PETA is pleased to donate a supply of healthy and delicious vegan food in support of Arnold Abbott’s inspiring effort to practice kindness to his neighbors.”

PETA’s shipment of vegan food includes nonperishable, satisfying food such as rice, peanut butter, textured vegetable protein (vegan ground beef), vegetarian chili, soy milk, Primal Strips vegan jerky, and vegan cookies.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or JesusPeopleForAnimals.com.

PETA’s letter to Arnold Abbott follows.

November 7, 2014

Arnold Abbott, Founder
Love Thy Neighbor

Dear Mr. Abbott,

As PETA’s director of Christian outreach and engagement and a follower of Jesus, I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters—including thousands across Florida—to thank you for your efforts to take care of neighbors in need. As a token of our appreciation and support for your mission, we have sent you a supply of vegan food and would be honored if you would share it with the homeless and hungry on our behalf.

The nourishing and delicious plant-based foods we’ve sent will help you and the other volunteers with whom you work bring relief not only to hungry human beings but also to animals raised for food—who are also God’s creatures and in desperate need of our mercy. As Christians, we’re called to be radically inclusive in our love, which we believe applies to human beings as well as all other animals. There’s nothing merciful or loving about the way animals are raised and slaughtered for food. These beings are castrated, have their beaks chopped off, have their horns carved out of their skulls, are burned with hot branding irons, and more—all without any painkillers. At the slaughterhouse, animals are shackled and their throats are cut, often while they’re still conscious and able to feel pain. Many of these animals will never get to feel the warmth of the sun on their backs, form friendships, build nests, or do anything else that God intended for them to do.

Not only is raising animals this way a failure of faithful stewardship, it’s also damaging to our health. Studies show that eating more vegan food reduces one’s risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure—all of which are common in those whose diets are rich in animal products.

We stand in solidarity with you as you perform God’s work, and we’re inspired by your efforts to show kindness and compassion to your hungry neighbors. A supply of vegan food will arrive in the next few days.

For all of God’s creation,

Sarah Withrow King
Director of Christian Outreach and Engagement
JesusPeopleforAnimals.com