About:

 

The first Food Not Bombs group originated in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980 to protest poverty and nuclear war. Out of the nonviolent social movement, came the idea to supply free vegetarian meals to people that need it, or want it. Today, the grassroots aggregation has autonomous chapters found all over the world -- including Greensboro, North Carolina.

 

Same as every chapter, the Food Not Bombs Greensboro Chapter is solely volunteer-based. Older, unsellable and mostly organic vegetables are donated from local markets to make this possible.

 

The Greensboro Chapter meets every Monday at the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) to prepare a meal that is served around 4:30 p.m. Many people say it is “one of the best meals of the week they get,” said a veteran in the Greensboro Chapter.

 

The group started out cooking at someone’s house, then moved to a local church basement and now they use an industrial kitchen at the IRC. However, changing kitchens is not their only achievement. Now, the Greensboro Chapter makes 18 different entrees every week for an average of 60-150 people. “What has kept it going is a lot of individuals," said the same veteran volunteer.

 

The group realizes the gesture of preparing food seems trivial in the greater framework of social justice; however, it advocates for more food accessibility and a push towards nonviolent movements.

 

Some reasons for joining the chapter by anonymous volunteers include:

 

“Building community.”

 

“Working together, bringing people together.”

 

“Food with friends.”

 

“What we have to do -- always -- help people who need it more.”

 

“It helps give me the nutrients I need, and give back to the community.”

 

With Food Not Bombs being an entirely volunteer-based group, everyone is welcome that wants to serve. Volunteers are necessary for both preparing food and cleaning up, yet either activity is contingent upon a person’s availability between noon to 7:30 p.m.

 

For more information about Food Not Bombs, Greensboro Chapter, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GsoFoodNotBombs/