Discussions & Thoughts: 2009

Thinking back on 2009, Long Island Food Not Bombs did a lot! It was a year of community solidarity. As friends, as neighbors, as individuals, we all struggled against the hardships forced onto us by the recession. But as a community we were able to overcome them. And with that in mind we invite you to glance over some of our achievements in the past year.

2009 was the year of our largest food share ever, the Thanksgiving Bonanza. On that day a feast was shared with everyone; on plates covered with delicious hot vegan meals, and in the thousands of bags of groceries taken home by neighborhood families. On that same day we also distributed thousands of pounds of clothing, books and other necessities. There were many highlights but the greatest was when we shared over 10,000 pounds of food in less than half an hour.

For the holidays we did something similar but with the focus on toys. Rolling up to our food shares with dozens of cars filled, beyond capacity, with presents we were able to share holiday toys with everyone that joined us. We were able to do this because hundreds of people participated by helping us collect and organize everything we got. Community participation is the greatest thing about Long Island Food Not Bombs. Everyone can get involved!

Last year we had a community gardening project in Mirshel Park, we created a new chapter in Farmingville and we started our incredible community literary zine - “As of yet, [Unnamed]”. We were able to do amazing things like this because of the involvement of people like you. So as you read on please keep in mind that food not bombs isn’t just a handful of activists. It’s community solidarity and it’s continually being expanded on, it’s community solidarity that relies on your participation.

Thanks for the great year,
xoxo Long Island Food Not Bombs.

Posted Feb 23 2010 - 3:05pm by LongIslandFNB

2009 Event Highlights & Happenings:

Discussion & Thoughts - Thanksgiving Food Share Bonanza

The Hempstead Thanksgiving Food Share Bonanza was indeed the largest of all time - both in the scale of people and the sheer volume of what was shared. Within half an hour 10,000’s of pounds of fresh foods made their way into the grocery bags of hundreds of people.

Posted Dec 1 2009 - 2:00pm by LongIslandFNB

Discussions & Thoughts: Conflict at the First Farmingville Food Share

On Thursday, June 25th, Long Island Food Not Bombs conducted its first Food Share in Farmingville and it was an awesome success. Needless to say, each Thursday at 6:30pm, from here on out, the Farmingville chapter of Long Island Food Not Bombs will be sharing free vegetarian/vegan groceries and other necessities at the small public space located near Horseblock Rd. and Granny Rd.

Posted Jun 30 2009 - 12:08pm by LongIslandFNB

Discussion & Thoughts - Mirschel Park Community Gardening Project

Our gardening project at Mirschel Park was a huge success. We planted tens-of-thousands of sunflower seeds across thousands of square feet of the park with the help of nearly a hundred volunteers over a three-day weekend of community direct action.

Check out this article to learn more about what happened, read various perspectives on the event and even throw down some of your own thoughts - we hope you do.

Posted Jun 2 2009 - 4:42pm by JonSTeps

Personal Thoughts:

Charlotte in words & moving pictures - Discussion & Thoughts 2009

In the Springtime of my youth, And the Springtime of the year, Of a newly balmy evening, We'd ride out east to the farms, where planting had begun. In the back of the car, clothing, towels, toiletries we'd collected from friends. Veering off to where back roads end, To a migrant camp, mighty well-hidden from the tourist. Like thieves in the night, we'd throw the stuff over the fence, then make a dog-like howl, to signal our drop-off and silently steal away.

Today, almost 50 years later, I will not steal away! Though still howling in grief, I will take my stand, And speak as part of a greater whole... In this the winter of our discontent...

Posted Feb 20 2010 - 3:02pm by LongIslandFNB

Farmingville, The Reality - Discussion & Thoughts 2009

In the spring of 2009, Food Not Bombs held a meeting in a park with approximately l5 people brainstorming about a third food share on LI and where the best place for it should be. Everyone in the group was well aware of the rampant oppression that exists in Farmingville and with everyone’s overwhelming desire to help out there, it was unanimously voted to begin on Horseblock Road.

Posted Feb 20 2010 - 3:06pm by Karen

Less talk, more action - Discussion and Thoughts 2009

“Less talk, more action”. Each experience that I’ve shared with LIFNB over the past year has renewed this adage for me.

From the day in June 2009 when I first participated with LIFNB and Hempstead community members to improve the quality of their living space by planting sunflowers in Mirchell Park, I could sense this group’s unique potential to positively impact Long Island.

Posted Feb 20 2010 - 2:40pm by KristenL

Jon G. & an ode to the workers solidarity - Discussion & Thoughts 2009

We are eternally grateful for the efforts of folks who have aided our efforts to provide food for our foodshares. No matter what the weather is, we can count on folks like Larry to help bring boxes of food to our packed cars.

We have heard from y'all that you appreciate what we are doing for the people. We thank you so much for all your efforts - without you, our efforts would be impossible!

Posted Feb 20 2010 - 3:12pm by jonstares

Remembering:

Thoughts on Remembering Marcelo Lucero

Saturday, November 7th was the one year anniversary of Marcelo Lucero's death. He was murdered by seven Patchogue High School Students for being of a different color. They beat him and they stabbed him during one of their weekly "beaner jumping" outings. Read thoughts about the vigil, racism in Long Island and the strength of the Lucero family.

Posted Nov 9 2009 - 2:36pm by LongIslandFNB

Some of our 2009 Zines:

As of yet, [Unnamed]. Issue # 2

As of yet, [Unnamed]. Issue # 2

Issue number 2 of AS OF YET, [UNNAMED]. deals with themes of identity, conflict and coming together. It’s the basis for what we hope will be a growing dialogue in our community and all those confronted by the same problems.

As of yet, [unnamed]. Issue # 1

As of yet, [unnamed]. Issue # 1, April 2009

AS OF YET, [UNNAMED]. is an offshoot of the Long Island Food Not Bombs community. Our hope is that we can create another means of dialogue between communities across Long Island (Suffolk, Nassau, Brooklyn & Queens) and it's surrounding areas, NYC, Bronx, Jersey, etc...

A slideshow of events in 2009:


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Local Food Shares

E. 6th St. & Fairground Ave.
Every Tuesday @ 7pm

W. Columbia St. & Station Plaza.
Every Sunday @ 2:00pm

Lafayette & Marcy Ave
Every Saturday @ 3pm

Horseblock Rd & Woodycrest Dr
Every Thursday @ 7pm

Mill Rd.
Every Monday @ 5:30pm

Knickerbocker & Starr St
Every Thursday @ Noon

Ave A & E. 7th St.
Every Sunday @ 3:30pm