SWA Speaks Out About SeaWorld

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines responds to protests over SeaWorld partnership

Southwest Airlines' "co-branded" plane painted with images of SeaWorld animalswill be returned to the airline's stable.
Photo courtesy of SeaWorld
As part of a fanfare surrounding a penguin-painted jet, Southwest Airlines andSeaWorld flew two penguins around the country in 2013.
Photo by SeaWorld

On the same day that a protest took place outside its headquarters, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to SeaWorld via a post on the company's blog, yet described itself as being in a "listening mode."

"Over the past few weeks, we’ve observed a number of customers and community members reach out to Southwest Airlines regarding our partnership with SeaWorld," it began. "We want our customers to know that we’ve heard your concerns and we do not take them lightly. I felt it was necessary to share our position on the partnership and hopefully address any concerns."

Southwest has become the latest player in the controversy surrounding SeaWorld, the marine park whose treatment of animals has been called into question since the release of the documentary Blackfish. In the film, four ex-employees raise concerns about SeaWorld's treatment of its animals and the safety of its staff.

The park has been besieged by negative publicity, including a concert scheduled for its Orlando park in March 2014 in which most of the performers, including Barenaked Ladies and Willie Nelson, canceled in response to allegations in the film.

Southwest has had a longtime relationship with SeaWorld dating back to 1988, when SeaWorld opened its theme park in San Antonio. But the spillover on Southwest has increased, with coverage by daily newspapers such as the San Antonio Express News; CNN did an item about the protest on Wednesday morning.

Southwest's blog post offers a reminder of its longstanding relationship with SeaWorld but goes on to address the airline's consideration of the protests and questions surrounding SeaWorld's treatment of its animals.

"We are engaged with SeaWorld related to the recent concerns being raised," the post reads. "We are in a listening and education mode with the goal of upholding our commitments as a good corporate citizen."

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Homeless News

Downtown Dallas homeless service Stewpot lands bigger better space

The Stewpot

It's official: The Stewpot, a community program that serves the homeless, has a new home. According to a release, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas — the organization that oversees the Stewpot — has acquired the CitySquare Community Center building at 1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd. where the StewPot will soon reside.

“This new facility will allow us to better deliver our programs and continue to support the 12,000 people served annually by CitySquare’s Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry programs,” said Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot.

The Stewpot is a community ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. Established in 1975, it began with a concerned group of church members who started preparing lunch for the congregation's homeless and hungry neighbors.

It serves those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Its programs have tripled in size in recent years, and the ministry has outgrown its current space at 1835 Young St. across from the church.

When CitySquare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations and sell its property by the end of the year, First Presbyterian leaped in to make a bid on the space. Members voted on Sunday, December 8 to approve the acquisition. The closing is scheduled for Friday, December 13. The Stewpot will begin moving into the new space later this month.

As a part of the acquisition, The Stewpot will continue two of CitySquare’s core programs: its Food Pantry and its Neighbor Resource Center, which helps people with housing options, SNAP, WIC, healthcare, financial assistance, and mental health services.

The property is a mile from The Stewpot’s current facility on Young Street, across the street from the church. With this acquisition, The Stewpot will move its operations and offices, while continuing to serve more than 1,000 meals daily at The Bridge downtown.

charity downtown