The money spent by the world's governments on weapons in one week is enough to feed all the people on earth for a year. Why is it that governments can consistently find money for weapons and war while millions of people starve to death globally each year?
Vancouver Food Not Bombs is the local chapter of an international network of autonomous collectives that challenge this gross misallocation of resources.
In contrast to the mainstream medias' message hunger does NOT just happen 'overseas'. Thousands of people in Vancouver go hungry everyday, perhaps most significantly in the Downtown Eastside.
This hunger is not unavoidable but occurs instead amidst prolific waste. Food is discarded because it has not been sold prior to going 'bad' and/or because it is no longer profitable! Food Not Bombs aims to intercept this cycle of waste. We encourage markets, bakers and others to donate food before it is wasted so we can cut, chop, shred, bake and boil our way to free vegetarian/vegan meals.
FNB is not a traditional soup kitchen. We aim to eliminate the division between 'server' and 'served'. Those who eat are also encouraged to cook; those who cook are also encouraged to eat. We aim to promote an ethic of sharing in the context of a society that worships private property and competition. We have no formal leaders and strive to include everyone in the decision making process. We are all volunteers.
WANT TO HELP!? Areas of involvement available immediately: chopping, cooking, serving, eating; donating/finding donations: dumpsters, friends/stores with surplus fresh/dried food - particularly appreciated would be items such as rice, pasta, beans, oats, canned goods, spices, oil etc; picking up donations (or offering us your car!); donating other items such as oven mitts, plates, cups, bowls, dish detergent etc; any other talents you have! (trades people: electrician/woodworker/etc)
We currently serve and eat out the front of the Tellier Tower at 16 East Hastings on Saturdays in the mid afternoon. Productive activity starts around 1pm and cooking space is currently kindly hosted by the Tellier kitchen at 16 East Hastings.
EMAIL: [email protected] BLOG: Food Not Bombs Vancouver Blogspot
