A Philadelphia-area woman is learning that no good deed goes un-chastised, after being warned by local authorities that she could face steep fines if she continues to provide free meals to hungry children in her neighborhood.

According to WTXF-TV, the woman has been giving out free meals — provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which also monitors the program — to children in her Delaware County, PA, township, where the per capita income is only around $19,000 per year.

But then she got the bad news from the township that her distribution of free meals in an area zoned as residential is in violation of local zoning codes.

With only a few weeks left in the summer, the township has agreed to let the woman’s program continue without penalty. But she has been warned that if she does the same thing next summer, she could be fined $600/day.

She can get around the fines if she appears before the zoning board to apply for a variance, but that alone will cost her $1,000 in fees.

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Thanks to Jeff for the tip!

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.