RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh woman is looking for a new place where she can continue to feed the homeless.

For eight years, Mary Judd dished out food and hope from the front porch of the home she rented on Swain Street. This summer, the city shut her down on zoning violations.

On Monday, Judd appeared before the City Council to ask for help. She wants a permanent place so everyone knows where to find her.

"People need people to care for them and show them love," Judd said.

"We're looking for something. We'll take a box -- something downtown that is not being utilized," said Earl Fincher, Judd's friend.

Right now, her ministry cooks from a temporary kitchen at a nearby church, but Judd wants something permanent.

"It's very important, because a lot of people can't afford meals at times and they need to have something to eat," Antony Judd supporter Anthony Mitchell said.

One city councilman did suggest Monday a building downtown that might become available, but Judd's supporters said that particular option looks like a long shot. Judd's supporters are hoping someone steps forward to donate a vacant building with a kitchen that the ministry can use as its permanent home.