Discussion and Thoughts 2009

I want to talk about a few things, Farmingville started with a meeting at a park in Port Jefferson on a
summer night. Several of us met; with some new faces, some old, and we
 agreed on Farmingville for our third food share on Long Island. We 
picked a night that would work for everyone, every week; and before you
 knew it, Farmingville was our regular Thursday night Food Share. 


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.

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!

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.

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...

“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.