Watch CBS News

Nonprofit Founder Attacked While Helping Homeless In Denver

DENVER (CBS4) – A volunteer who feeds the homeless is recovering from injuries after a homeless man hit him in the face. Jim Scharper, founder of Feeding Denver's Hungry, was giving away groceries near Broadway and Champa Thursday when a man receiving the food hit him in the face with what felt like a pipe.

8 feeding denver's homeless jim scharper
(credit: Jim Scharper)

"I didn't see what hit me but it felt like it was maybe a piece of metal," Scharper said. "I've got a couple of teeth that are knocked loose and lost a couple of fillings."

HOMELESS ATTACK 10PKG.transfer_frame_560
Jim Scharper (credit: CBS)

Dozens of volunteers were present, distributing 21,000 pounds of groceries to a record 2,200 people at the nonprofit's monthly hand-up event.

The attack came after the suspect tried to cut in front of other people in the food line and became upset when confronted, Denver police said in a report.

MUGSHOT
Quinton Boyd (credit: CBS)

Scharper's friends spent the next several hours tracking down the suspect and called police. Officers arrested Quinton Boyd, 24, on a charge of assault.

Suspect_1 feeding denver's homeless jim scharper
Quinton Boyd (credit: Jim Scharper)

Friends recorded video of the arrest, as police found the groceries still in his bag.

Despite lingering pain, Scharper said he forgives Boyd.

Scharper started the nonprofit seven years ago after overcoming his own struggle with homelessness.

HOMELESS ATTACK 10PKG.transfer_frame_1943
(credit: CBS)

"I'm an alcoholic. So 10 years ago, I was out on the street because of that," Scharper told CBS4's Melissa Garcia.

He hopes Boyd's brush with the law will allow him to get the help that he needs.

HOMELESS ATTACK 10PKG.transfer_frame_791
(credit: Jim Scharper)

"You slip through the cracks when you're out there on the street. And unless something like this happens, it's hard to get help," Scharper said.

Friends started a fundraiser to help Scharper with his dental and medical bills. Scharper was asking the public for donations to help feed more of Denver's struggling population.

LINKS: Feeding Denver's Hungry

 

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.