Recently I had the pleasure of joining a community help
group called Food Not Bombs. I initially chose this as I read that it was
giving out only vegan food. This intrigued me as my main degree in biology allows
me to have a certain understanding of the human body. I know that many
vegetarian/vegan diets require supplements to ensure that they get all the
nutrients required for a healthy diet. Admittedly if you are committed and can
afford the diet and supplements it can be a very healthy path. The important
take away here is if you can afford it, and if you are seeking out food, and
are unable to provide for that, how are you able to supplement your diet with
what you need? This was what I was interested in, I wondered if Food Not Bombs was more about
changing peoples values than helping people in need.
So I decided I would investigate the organization and ask
some questions, and I was honestly surprised. Upon entering the apartment of
the leader (that refuses to be called the leader) where the food was being
cooked I was introduced to some very interesting and diverse people. Many were
young, and eager to involve me in the process. Asking questions I began to see
a similar pattern of people who were more interested in social justice and
helping people than pushing a message. In fact on of the regular volunteers is
not vegan, he can just see the good that is done by the group. Many of the regular volunteers are Brock
students, but not just Sociology students, there was a good split of Arts and
Science in this group. While making food I saw the effort they put into
creating a healthy balanced meal that was good tasting and good for you. They
understand the importance of a whole meal that will supply everything a meal
will need to.
When I inquired about the message, and whether or not they
were trying to push the vegan diet or the main message of diverting the government
funds that create weapons (or any military expenditure) to the impoverished people
within our own country, I was told that it is a secondary goal. If a patron
were to inquire about the message, then and only then was anything mentioned.
The most important aspect was to feed those who came. I was truly impressed, many soup kitchens and
other food banks will have a Christian overtone that can alienate people, but
here it’s about the people, the need, and not the message.
When it came to serving, it was jovially mentioned that we
are more food “sharers” than food servers, everybody was encouraged to eat,
including volunteers. I saw this as a great system. You do not have people
giving you food; you instead have people sharing food with you, dining with
you. It is not two divisible groups, but instead a community. There were
regulars that came every Sunday for this meal and the regular volunteers would
take the time and say hello and just talk with them, not separating themselves.
The people who came were very glad for the meal and the talk, and even shared a
picnic table with each other and would chat, it felt more like a picnic in the
park than any kind of charity.
The only issue I could have with how Food Not Bombs operates
is with the lack of meat. I don’t believe eating meat is wrong, it is quite
normal for many species to regularly eat meat, including us. I will agree that
the meat companies can treat their livestock terribly and that is wrong, but
meat is not. I think most of the patrons would have enjoyed the meal even more
if it had included meat, especially if this is their only meal for some time.
All in all I am blown away by the effort and generosity of
this small group of people. They are more interested in helping than preaching,
and befriending those they help. If ever a group exemplified the principles of
Anti Oppressive Practices , it is Food Not Bombs.
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