The State - News from May 13, 1987

A Roman Catholic charity kitchen in Santa Cruz still plans to ban followers of the Grateful Dead rock band, despite the fact that the so-called “Deadheads” have donated about $600 to the facility. Officials at the St. Francis Catholic Kitchen had planned to stop serving the fanatical fans on Monday, saying they are not really needy. Now, said kitchen spokesman Peter Carota, the ban will start next Monday, in order to let the word circulate. As many as 100, and sometimes more, of the fans, recognizable by their tie-dyed clothing, have packed the kitchen each day to eat free lunches whenever the band played in the area. Last weekend, the Grateful Dead played in Monterey. Carota said that in response to the ban, Deadheads have donated money, brought in food and sent letters disagreeing with the action. “I know there are a lot of good people who are Deadheads,” he said. “I’ve also seen a lot of bad.”