|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Civil & Human Rights : Health : Housing : Peace |
|
Champaign-Urbana Food Not Bombs |
Current rating: 0 |
by Scott Edwards
Email: scottisimo (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
12 Oct 2004
|
|
Below is an article on Food Not Bombs that can be found in this issue of the Public I, along with plenty of good reading. Pick one up if you havent already, and come check out Food Not Bombs! |
Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. Jawaharlal Nehru
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. J. R. R. Tolkien
As I write this contribution to the Public I, the audio of the first Presidential debate is playing in the background. To absorb it critically is an exercise in cynicism. I listen as the incumbent speaks of his profound respect for human life and desire to help those in need. I juxtapose his words with his actions, and both with the weekly actions of a group of community members I have come to work with.
Champaign-Urbana Food Not Bombs began operating earlier this year. Every Sunday, volunteers meet at a local park (after a few hours of preparation) to share a meal with community members with varying means. Each week, volunteers collect food that would otherwise go to waste from various sources in the area. The Food Not Bombs (FNB) activities rely on a network of volunteers, food and financial donors, and a seemingly endless number of hungry people.
There are hundreds of independent FNB organizations across the world, all of which, with varying mixtures of the two activities, serve vegetarian meals in their communities and campaign for causes of peace and justice. Different local groups operate differently based on the needs of the community, and the activist interests of their members. A common understanding of the uniting FNB principal is summarized nicely by the San Francisco organization, however:
“We believe that society and government should value human life over material wealth. Many of the problems in the world stem from this simple crisis in values. By giving away free food to people in need in public spaces we directly dramatize the level of hunger in this country and the surplus of food being wasted. We also call attention to the failures of the society to support those within it while funding the forces of war and violence.”
There are a number of regular volunteers that make Champaign-Urbana FNB happen every week, with varying backgrounds. Some older community members, some university students, and even a contingent of dedicated high schoolers.
I look forward to it every week. Apart from the wholly rewarding work of feeding hungry people, the fellowship of being surrounded by people who share the simple conjecture that energies are better spent helping fellow community members rather than seeking the accumulation of wealth or waging of war is a perfect anecdote for the cynicism that events like Presidential debates tend to breed. To be in the presence of people for whom the simple act of preparing and sharing food is a powerful political statement is not simply elevating, but inspiring. I believe quite strongly that if the world’s political leaders shared the same dedication to fellow human beings as some of the high school students I’ve met through Food Not Bombs, the world would be a far better place.
But FNB isn’t a simple symbolic exercise. I first became aware of the group at a local community action, of which the organization was a participant. The volunteers that make FNB run each week represent a cross-section of the wide array of community organizations mobilized for purposes of peace, justice, and equality. As such, the organization itself represents the very best the community has to offer in the way of dedication to these principles, and activism to achieve these ends.
Additionally, the meals themselves allow for dialogue between segments of the community that would otherwise have them. Not only are “we using what would go to waste in this town, but we are bridging (societal) boundaries between the homeless, the poor, and the people with money. Where else can you go to see a homeless person off of the street striking up a conversation with a college student or businessman?” Says Maggie, a CUFNB volunteer.
Food Not Bombs as a new organization is not without problems. Most pressingly, many of the people who eat with the group on Sundays are indeed homeless. Communication between the group and the people who value its activity the most is, understandably, difficult. With no phones, internet access, or even fixed avenues for announcements, it is often difficult for FNB organizers to judge the needs of this particular segment of the community. “There’s no way for us to know reliably what’s happening on the street,” remarks one volunteer. “Something could happen that effects this whole portion of the community, and it’s nearly impossible to keep track, because, after all, who is paying attention?”
Regardless of the difficulties, FNB continues with its work, and looks forward to expanding its activities and community interaction. This expansion will be greatly impacted by the participation of new community members, whether they simply wish to eat, or additionally wish to serve or volunteer in some capacity.
Food Not Bombs serves every Sunday at 4:30pm at Scott Park (corner of 3rd and Springfield). I strongly encourage you to visit to eat and socialize with the group, all of who are remarkably warm and open people. Also, if you are interested in volunteering, donating food or money, or have questions, email foodnotbombs (at) ucimc.org, or visit the CUFNB website at www.readysubjects.org/fnb. |
This work is in the public domain |
