Hunger is Not a Game

1654 Words4 Pages

Hunger is an issue that is becoming more and more prevalent in cities across the United States. In a survey released last year by the United States Conference of Mayors’ Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness, it was reported that requests for emergency food assistance rose in 21 out of the 25 major cities that were surveyed. Among those seeking emergency food, 51 percent were in families and 37 percent were employed. (United States Conference of Mayors’ Task Force). These findings alone suggest a changing visibility of hunger where many previously middle class families are become dependent on food aid. This change would thus need to be addressed by institutions and interventions, that focus on the issue of hunger. However, in the same report it was found that “In 95 percent of the cities surveyed, food pantries cut the amount of food each person received and soup kitchens reduced meal sizes. In almost all the cities, pantries capped people's monthly visits as well.”(United States Conference of Mayors’ Task Force). While food pantries struggle to handle the increased demand as budgets are being cut, it may be necessary to approach this issue of hunger differently.

One such approach is taken by Food Not Bombs (FNB). Food Not Bombs was first formed in Massachusetts in the 1980’s by anti-nuclear activists and has since rapidly spread across the globe. Using food that would otherwise be thrown away, the organization serves free vegetarian meals in public spaces to the homeless, poor and anyone else in need. What differentiates Food Not bombs from other charities that address hunger is that it is not defined solely as an organization, but also as a social movement with a political identity. This duality is evident in its very name whic...

... middle of paper ...

... C. T. Lawrence., and Keith McHenry. Food Not Bombs. Tucson, AZ: See Sharp, 2000. Print.

"FOOD NOT BOMBS FACES ARREST." FOOD NOT BOMBS FACES ARREST. Web. 26 Nov.

2013.

Heynen, Nik. Cooking up Non-violent Civil-disobedient Direct Action for the Hungry: ‘Food Not

Bombs’ and the Resurgence of Radical Democracy in the US. Urban Studies Journal

Limited, 2010. PDF.

Hunger and Homelessness Survey. Washington D.C.: The United States Conference of Mayors, 2012. PDF.

Martin, Brian. Nonviolent Strategy Against Capitalism *. Social Alternatives, 2009. PDF.

Schlueb, Mark. "Mayor Dyer Drops Charges in Homeless-feeding Arrests." Orlando Sentinel 19 Aug.

2011. Print.

"THE FOOD NOT BOMBS MOVEMENT." THE FOOD NOT BOMBS MOVEMENT. Web. 26

Nov. 2013.

Wilson, Amanda D. Beyond Alternative: Exploring the Potential for Autonomous Food Spaces.

Antipode Foundation Ltd., 2012. PDF.

Open Document