In 2018, Pastor Ray Redlick of the New Life Center decided to give out bologna sandwiches to homeless people downtown -- and he was ticketed for it.
The City of St. Louis argued that Redlick needed a permit to hand out food. But his attorney, Dave Roland, says giving away food is a freedom of religion and speech.
"No one should have to get the government's permission to help somebody else in need," Roland told KMOX's Kevin Killeen. "Pastor Ray is providing a valued service to the community by providing food to those who need it, and there's no justifiable reason for the city to stop him from doing that."
A three judge federal panel is hearing Pastor Redlick's case. One of the judges suggested the case has no foundation, because the city dropped the original tickets and hasn't ticketed the minister since. An attorney for the city stressed it has a right to require people giving away food have permits.