Members of a charity group in Orlando continued to feed the homeless Wednesday in direct defiance of a new city order, according to Local 6 News.

The University of Central Florida organization Food Not Bombs fed the homeless in Lake Eola park Thursday.

"(They do it) because of the fact that they have people showing up here every Wednesday to get fed," Central Florida ACLU representative George Crossley said. "And they will go hungry if they don't come down here."

City commissioners passed an ordinance that effectively bans organizations from feeding the homeless at public parks downtown. The measure requires a paid permit for any food sharing for 25 or more people.

Citizens spoke out at a City Council meeting earlier this week, saying the weekly feedings in downtown have become unpleasant and unsafe.

"They have slept on my property, defecated in my shrubs and urinated on my porch," business owner William Schaeffer said.

Since the group has been holding the feedings for some time, Orlando police said they will allow a grace period but the ordinance will be enforced.

Local 6 News reported that the group is ready to go to jail to feed the homeless.

"The important thing to remember that this is not about the homeless but about city parks and what they are designated for and they are not to be turned into soup kitchens," Orlando police Sgt. Barbara Jones said.

"I think you will end up with aggressive panhandlers and if people are hungry, they are more inclined (to do things)," homeless resident Brian Nichols said.

The American Civil Liberties Union is threatening to sue the city of Orlando over the decision, Local 6 News reported.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.