Food Not Bombs Overview
The first Food Not Bombs group was formed in
Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980 by
anti-nuclear activists. It is one of the fastest growing
revolutionary movements active in
North America today and is growing all over the world. There are more than 175 autonomous groups sharing
vegetarian and
vegan food with everyone who wants a good meal, while
protesting
war and
poverty throughout the
Americas,
Europe, and
Australia.
Food Not Bombs is an all-
volunteer organization and is dedicated to
nonviolence; there are no formal
leaders and
everyone is included in the
decision making process.
The groups each recover
food that would otherwise be thrown out and prepare fresh, hot
vegetarian/
vegan meals that are served in
city parks to
anyone without restriction. They also serve free meals at
protests and other events.
The
administrations of some cities are making an effort to keep the
homeless out of the parks and silence Food Not Bombs' protest against
poverty and
anti-homeless policies.
The San Francisco chapter, for example, has been arrested over 1,000 times in an effort to
silence its protest against the Mayor's anti-homeless policy.
Amnesty International states that it may adopt those Food Not Bombs volunteers who are imprisoned as "
Prisoners of Conscience" and will work for their unconditional release.
Food Not Bombs works in
coalition with groups like
Earth First!,
The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee,
Anarchist Black Cross, the
IWW,
Homes Not Jails,
Anti Racist Action,
In Defense of Animals, the
Free Radio Movement and other organizations on the cutting edge of
positive social change and
resistance to the
new global austerity program.
Fort Myers, FL Food Not Bombs
Yours truly is involved in the
Fort Myers, Florida chapter of Food Not Bombs.
Most of the volunteers are from the
Fort Myers/
Cape Coral punk scene, but anyone is welcome.
We collect food at local
health stores,
produce markets, and
shopping centers. The
Unity Church of Fort Myers was kind enough to offer us their kitchen, and its members often volunteer to help cook and/or bring food donations.
Our serving/meeting is every Tuesday at 4 PM in Centennial Park in downtown
Fort Myers, Florida. We serve hot
vegetarian meals to anyone who shows up, give out supplies to take home (e.g.
cereal,
bread,
produce, etc), and most important of all:
have a good time. Pay us a visit if you are in the area.
Why I Choose Food Not Bombs
Food Not Bombs is great. You have the opportunity to meet your
friends, meet new people, help out people in need, and the organization of the group is awesome.
Everyone has a voice in the decision making process, regardless of race, sex, age, or creed. The
homeless people you meet tell the best stories, are very friendly and thankful for you helping them out.
Knowing that you made someone's day by just providing them with a free meal and talking to them must be one of the most rewarding things in life.
And (the probably best thing ever) you get
free food yourself!!