Food not Bombs
I've become interested in an activist concept called Food not Bombs. What it does is promote peace and awareness of the homeless plight in America by distributing free vegan meals to anyone in need. The groups do this in front of government buildings to boost the effect of the activism. Several FNB members have been arrested for their activist activities because it apparently brings to light the plight of the poverty stricken in America. The government does not like this and thinks it's doing a good enough job all by itself. Hmm.
The point of the vegan meals is a several pointed one. First, to promote awareness of peace no animal products will be used in the making of said meals. Vegetarianism is a key concept of eco-friendly activism. Second, purely vegetable products do not spoil as readily as animal products. Third, everyone can partake in a vegan meal; not everyone can eat meat for either religious or other reasons. Thus, no one is left out.
ALso, helping the homeless by cooking and distributing meals as a group effort helps build community. Community is a quickly diminishing concept in our country. Everyone is out for their own needs---to hell with everyone else.
I would like to start a community of Food not Bombs individuals. However, where I live there appears to not be a substantial homeless community. Perhaps FNB would work better in a larger metropolis like Tulsa or OKC. I'm going to research to see if there are any FNB networks in those areas and get to work. Of course, though, the reason there appears to not be a substantial homeless community in my area is because they may be well hidden. It may be a mistake to ignore this, and should go about trying to start an FNB in my area.
I forgot to mention how FNB goes about obtaining the food for their free meals. What they do is go around to farmers markets and health food stores and ask for any produce that is going to be thrown out or may be past the sell date yet is still a viable food. Some FNB individuals have been arrested for dumpster diving for perfectly good produce thrown out by big box supermarkets, so the way to go is to kindly ask the small grocers/stores if they would like to help out.
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Fact for the day: Pineapples are a member of the Bromeliad family of plants. Bromeliads are a popular tropical houseplant and a variety of Spanish moss.
The point of the vegan meals is a several pointed one. First, to promote awareness of peace no animal products will be used in the making of said meals. Vegetarianism is a key concept of eco-friendly activism. Second, purely vegetable products do not spoil as readily as animal products. Third, everyone can partake in a vegan meal; not everyone can eat meat for either religious or other reasons. Thus, no one is left out.
ALso, helping the homeless by cooking and distributing meals as a group effort helps build community. Community is a quickly diminishing concept in our country. Everyone is out for their own needs---to hell with everyone else.
I would like to start a community of Food not Bombs individuals. However, where I live there appears to not be a substantial homeless community. Perhaps FNB would work better in a larger metropolis like Tulsa or OKC. I'm going to research to see if there are any FNB networks in those areas and get to work. Of course, though, the reason there appears to not be a substantial homeless community in my area is because they may be well hidden. It may be a mistake to ignore this, and should go about trying to start an FNB in my area.
I forgot to mention how FNB goes about obtaining the food for their free meals. What they do is go around to farmers markets and health food stores and ask for any produce that is going to be thrown out or may be past the sell date yet is still a viable food. Some FNB individuals have been arrested for dumpster diving for perfectly good produce thrown out by big box supermarkets, so the way to go is to kindly ask the small grocers/stores if they would like to help out.
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Fact for the day: Pineapples are a member of the Bromeliad family of plants. Bromeliads are a popular tropical houseplant and a variety of Spanish moss.
posted by L. Maria Thomas | 5:07 PM
1 Comments:
Wow, dumpster diving to feed the homeless. I had thought I'd heard everything.
I wish you the best of luck connecting with one of these groups or starting one of your own. I've seen some homeless-looking people in Bricktown. Perhaps they were just alcoholics waiting for the bus, but it could really be either way.
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