Brickbats

Terrorists in the Soup Kitchen

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Baltimore's Viva House soup kitchen and food pantry has been feeding the poor since 1968, and for many years, it has gotten funds from the local United Way. But officials were surprised recently when they got a letter from United Way telling them they had to sign a form confirming they were "in compliance with all applicable anti-terrorism financing and asset control laws, statutes and executive orders" or the agency would not provide them with any funds, even those pledged to the soup kitchen. United Way says the PATRIOT Act requires them to have this form on file before releasing any money to any agency it helps.