Political Activism for the Homeless
Food Not Bombs Feeds the Hungry Nationwide and in Orlando.
Jul 3, 2009
A national, political and social collective, Food Not Bombs (FNB), believes in calling attention to hunger and homelessness in society. They try to solve such problems through their collection of surplus food and from voluntary contributions provided by wholesalers, donations, and charities. According to their web site, they do not use any tax money or grants.
Food Not Bombs began in the early 1980s in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when a group of anti-nuclear activists, demonstrating against a nearby power plant, spray painted the logo, Money for food, not for bombs, on walls and buildings around the city.
Central Florida and Food Not Bombs
Since January 2005, Central Florida FNB distributes food for 100 people at least twice a week at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.Their origins were fraught with opposition. The Orlando City Council, in 2006, passed an ordinance to stop FNB and other groups from sharing food in downtown public parks. However, FNB received support from the community and coverage from local media such as the Orlando Sentinel, the Orlando Weekly, the Central Florida Future, El Nuevo Dia , WOFL-Channel 35, WFTV-Channel 9, WKMG-Channel 6, WESH-Channel 2, News Channel 13 and WDBO-AM (580). FNB has become a symbol of civil liberties in Orlando. On May 16, 2007, over 50 FNB members, homeless individuals and supporters staged a protest against Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer .
Arrests Made during Public Feeding in Orlando
As a result of the protest, in 2007, Eric Montanez, became the public face of FNB, earning the distinction of being the first person arrested for feeding the homeless in a public place in Orlando. It is illegal in Orlando to feed more than 25 destitute people without a permit. The group eventually got around the ordinance by setting up additional tables, ensuring that each food center only fed 25 people at a time. Montanez was cleared of wrongdoing in 2008.
Food Not Bombs Still Feeds Folks in a Public Park
FNB operates in downtown Lake Eola at the corner of Osceola and Central. They no longer bother with separate tables to comply with the feeding permit. A visit to the site reveals no harassment from local law enforcement.
Central Florida FNB works in solidarity with a local church organization who distributes clothes and other personal needs during meals. Volunteers dish up breakfast at 8:00 a.m on Mondays, and dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. There is an east side FNB that sets up lunch on Sundays at 1 p.m. in Downey Park at the corner of Dean Road and Colonial Drive.
Although they have a great cookbook, Central Florida FNB no longer dumpster dives for food. A produce distributive of Cisco’s, Fresh Market, donates the raw material for all FNB meals, which volunteers prepare at home. They appreciate staples, such as brown sugar, coffee, green paper goods, canned food (see their wish list ). Volunteers who wish to serve food are welcome to show up in the park. A few high school students volunteer at the Orlando FNB for Bright Futures scholarship community service credit.
