Latest news with #FoodNotBombs
Japan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Japan Times
Solidarity with Tokyo's homeless residents, one day at a time
At an upscale cafe in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's busiest metropolitan areas, Kinga Skiers explains the guiding principle behind the community service project Food Not Bombs. "We're a community, and our work isn't charity — it's solidarity.' Skiers, 30, co-founded the Tokyo chapter of Food Not Bombs alongside two friends in 2023. Originally from Warsaw, the doctoral student has been an activist throughout her life, and was drawn to the group's solidarity-not-charity philosophy. Food Not Bombs started as an antinuclear movement from Boston in 1980, with its focus later shifting to managing food waste and ensuring food security as a demonstration of civic cooperation and cohesion. Several decades later, it has more than 1,000 active chapters around the world, each of which faces its own particular challenges and injustices — including the kind that Skiers and her colleagues encounter in Tokyo. Official statistics from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government put the population of people without housing somewhere between 600 and 700. Other groups, such as the Advocacy and Research Centre for Homelessness, criticize the municipal data collection methodology, pointing out that most of this information is gathered during the day, when homeless people are constantly moving or at work. The center estimates the population to be around double that in the official statistics. 'The unhoused are almost expected to be invisible,' Skiers says. 'It's not enough that they don't have a home, they're denied a place to be. During the 2020 Olympic Games, for example, the government evicted hundreds of the homeless around Tokyo to make the city seem nicer." Inclusivity for the 'invisible' For Skiers, the unfair treatment of homeless individuals motivates her and the community at Food Not Bombs to effect change. The group is small but diverse, with around a dozen or so regular members who attend most meetups and around 50 contributors who offer help when they can. Skiers estimates 80% to 90% of the group are non-Japanese — including Americans, British and Polish people — while ages range from 16 to 50. 'We want to be as inclusive as possible with Food Not Bombs,' she says. 'There isn't a hierarchy in the group. Everyone gets a say and input on decisions.' This inclusivity is apparent in the group's dietary guidelines: They provide vegan and vegetarian options where possible and meals are made with common allergens in mind. A visit to Skiers' kitchen in July finds her and several members cooking up vegetarian gyōza (dumplings) and Polish potato pancakes, while other volunteers fry up croquettes in their own homes or go out to purchase nattō (fermented soybeans) and bananas. With four people moving around the kitchen, the space is warm and slightly cramped, but the atmosphere is cheerful. Skiers notes how potato-heavy the day's meals will be. 'We're a volunteer group, so we have to make do with whatever is cheap and plentiful,' she says. 'Fresh vegetables, tofu and things in that vein are inexpensive, but when you have to make a big batch, it adds up. One of our other volunteers (recently received a donation of) a large bag of onions and potatoes, so that's what we're working with.' While Japanese grocery stores are known for discounting food late in the day, individual bento boxes are rarely the best use of the group's limited finances. Skiers draws comparisons to countries like the U.K., where restaurants and stores, in an attempt to combat waste, donate leftover food or produce free of charge. Apps such as Too Good To Go have made the process even easier overseas, connecting people in need of food to cheap or even free meals and ingredients. Japan has yet to embrace this system, leaving community organizations dependent on canvassing and personal connections for donations. The Tokyo chapter of Food Not Bombs distributes foods and everyday supplies to homeless communities every two weeks. | COURTESY OF KINGA SKIERS It's far from the only challenge facing Food Not Bombs. Skiers says the language barrier can be an issue when trying to help those in need. 'So many of our volunteers aren't (native) Japanese. We all speak some (of the language), of course, but the lack of fluency can sometimes trip us up,' she says. 'Not to mention, there's naturally a little wariness of us as foreigners. It takes us a long time to develop a bond of trust with the unhoused, but it does develop over time.' Skiers mentions how this trust can be undercut by others, since there is little support or oversight in this domain. For example, troublemakers sometimes purchase food from local stores and hand it out to homeless people in a derisive, performative manner. Even when completely unrelated to Food Not Bombs, this kind of activity often damages the trust they have cultivated with the population as a whole, and some homeless people do not return to future events. Little actions, big impact Despite such headwinds, Skiers and the other volunteers take great satisfaction in their efforts. Having moved from her kitchen to a spot close to Ikebukuro Station in Toshima Ward, Skiers is among 10 volunteers who distribute food to around 30 recipients from a small folding table. 'I've seen the unhoused being bullied by station staff when they stay within a station, or harassed by passersby,' she says. 'Many of the people we help are elderly; the youngest I've met personally is 53. Not to mention, many have disabilities, mental and physical, and so it's easy for them to congregate here.' Gyōza, pancakes, croquettes and other snacks are bagged up and handed out, while another volunteer offers nonedible essentials including batteries and lighters. Food Not Bombs runs these events every two weeks, and many of the attendees seem familiar with the volunteers, casually chatting and discussing life updates as they look over the items available on the table. The lighters and batteries are especially popular. 'We tend to think of the unhoused as needing food above everything else,' Skiers says, 'but it's these little things too that you wouldn't think of — shoes, clothing, sanitary items. 'As I said, we're a community. If we can, we should be helping with all of these things.' As the last of the group disperses, it begins to rain. The volunteers hurry to pack all of the food and other items before moving onto a second distribution area, near the Sunshine City complex deeper in Ikebukuro. Having supported close to 50 people by the end of the evening, Skiers wonders what could be achieved if more people were willing to contribute. 'I appreciate everyone who volunteers, and how much we all put into this,' she says. 'But there are probably hundreds — or even thousands — of people who want to do something to help, and just don't know how to begin or what to do. 'To them, I'd say: As long as you have a stove and some ingredients, you can do everything we do. It might just be a small action, but community and support always start small. That first step, that first action, is your path to creating a community.' To learn more about Food Not Bombs Tokyo, follow them on Instagram @foodnotbombstokyo or contact
The Advertiser
04-08-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Safety' first: grant to boost crucial Hamilton Station Park upgrade
SAFETY will be the focus of an $80,000 upgrade of Hamilton Station Park to build on the community's efforts to address a rise in antisocial behaviour and crime in Hamilton. The grant has been awarded to the City of Newcastle to boost its project 'Hamilton Station Park - A Place For All' through the NSW government's 2025 Community Building Partnership program It will fund the installation of a community noticeboard with Aboriginal cultural storytelling and artwork, as well as lighting, bollards and benches, landscaping, surface levelling, and turf. It is one of 20 projects funded across the Newcastle local government area to the tune of almost $450,000. The $41 million program aims to ensure local organisations and councils across the state have the facilities to support more vibrant and inclusive communities. Newcastle State MP Tim Crakanthorp joined Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge and councillor Jennie Barrie on Monday (August 4) to announce the funding and the list of recipients. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the funding and applauded the program for bringing "much-needed improvements to local facilities". "These projects make a real and impactful difference to the local residents and organisations," Mr Crakanthorp said. "Congratulations to all successful applicants. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life to benefit our community." Cr Kerridge thanked the state government on behalf of the council for their contribution to the upgrade of Hamilton Station Park. "This funding will help provide upgraded lighting, landscaping, and public infrastructure to make the park more welcoming, more accessible, and safer for everyone in the community," Cr Kerridge said. City of Newcastle's executive director of creative and community services, Alissa Jones, said the proposal had been developed using the principles of crime prevention through environmental design to make the park a safer and more welcoming community space. The area is known as Ahwar-tah Bulboolba, which translates to 'flat it is, Wallaby Place. A place of sand flats covered in tea tree scrub and an abundance of wildlife.' It hosts a 'Food Not Bombs' meal service and cupboards, which act as a point of donation for food and other items. The park's proposed upgrade has not been without controversy. Cr Jenny Barrie and others have flagged concerns about the free food sharing initiative drawing antisocial behaviour to the area. But the initiative, Food Not Bombs, has defended itself as trying to help people in need, saying issues in the area won't go away if it were to stop operating. SAFETY will be the focus of an $80,000 upgrade of Hamilton Station Park to build on the community's efforts to address a rise in antisocial behaviour and crime in Hamilton. The grant has been awarded to the City of Newcastle to boost its project 'Hamilton Station Park - A Place For All' through the NSW government's 2025 Community Building Partnership program It will fund the installation of a community noticeboard with Aboriginal cultural storytelling and artwork, as well as lighting, bollards and benches, landscaping, surface levelling, and turf. It is one of 20 projects funded across the Newcastle local government area to the tune of almost $450,000. The $41 million program aims to ensure local organisations and councils across the state have the facilities to support more vibrant and inclusive communities. Newcastle State MP Tim Crakanthorp joined Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge and councillor Jennie Barrie on Monday (August 4) to announce the funding and the list of recipients. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the funding and applauded the program for bringing "much-needed improvements to local facilities". "These projects make a real and impactful difference to the local residents and organisations," Mr Crakanthorp said. "Congratulations to all successful applicants. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life to benefit our community." Cr Kerridge thanked the state government on behalf of the council for their contribution to the upgrade of Hamilton Station Park. "This funding will help provide upgraded lighting, landscaping, and public infrastructure to make the park more welcoming, more accessible, and safer for everyone in the community," Cr Kerridge said. City of Newcastle's executive director of creative and community services, Alissa Jones, said the proposal had been developed using the principles of crime prevention through environmental design to make the park a safer and more welcoming community space. The area is known as Ahwar-tah Bulboolba, which translates to 'flat it is, Wallaby Place. A place of sand flats covered in tea tree scrub and an abundance of wildlife.' It hosts a 'Food Not Bombs' meal service and cupboards, which act as a point of donation for food and other items. The park's proposed upgrade has not been without controversy. Cr Jenny Barrie and others have flagged concerns about the free food sharing initiative drawing antisocial behaviour to the area. But the initiative, Food Not Bombs, has defended itself as trying to help people in need, saying issues in the area won't go away if it were to stop operating. SAFETY will be the focus of an $80,000 upgrade of Hamilton Station Park to build on the community's efforts to address a rise in antisocial behaviour and crime in Hamilton. The grant has been awarded to the City of Newcastle to boost its project 'Hamilton Station Park - A Place For All' through the NSW government's 2025 Community Building Partnership program It will fund the installation of a community noticeboard with Aboriginal cultural storytelling and artwork, as well as lighting, bollards and benches, landscaping, surface levelling, and turf. It is one of 20 projects funded across the Newcastle local government area to the tune of almost $450,000. The $41 million program aims to ensure local organisations and councils across the state have the facilities to support more vibrant and inclusive communities. Newcastle State MP Tim Crakanthorp joined Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge and councillor Jennie Barrie on Monday (August 4) to announce the funding and the list of recipients. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the funding and applauded the program for bringing "much-needed improvements to local facilities". "These projects make a real and impactful difference to the local residents and organisations," Mr Crakanthorp said. "Congratulations to all successful applicants. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life to benefit our community." Cr Kerridge thanked the state government on behalf of the council for their contribution to the upgrade of Hamilton Station Park. "This funding will help provide upgraded lighting, landscaping, and public infrastructure to make the park more welcoming, more accessible, and safer for everyone in the community," Cr Kerridge said. City of Newcastle's executive director of creative and community services, Alissa Jones, said the proposal had been developed using the principles of crime prevention through environmental design to make the park a safer and more welcoming community space. The area is known as Ahwar-tah Bulboolba, which translates to 'flat it is, Wallaby Place. A place of sand flats covered in tea tree scrub and an abundance of wildlife.' It hosts a 'Food Not Bombs' meal service and cupboards, which act as a point of donation for food and other items. The park's proposed upgrade has not been without controversy. Cr Jenny Barrie and others have flagged concerns about the free food sharing initiative drawing antisocial behaviour to the area. But the initiative, Food Not Bombs, has defended itself as trying to help people in need, saying issues in the area won't go away if it were to stop operating. SAFETY will be the focus of an $80,000 upgrade of Hamilton Station Park to build on the community's efforts to address a rise in antisocial behaviour and crime in Hamilton. The grant has been awarded to the City of Newcastle to boost its project 'Hamilton Station Park - A Place For All' through the NSW government's 2025 Community Building Partnership program It will fund the installation of a community noticeboard with Aboriginal cultural storytelling and artwork, as well as lighting, bollards and benches, landscaping, surface levelling, and turf. It is one of 20 projects funded across the Newcastle local government area to the tune of almost $450,000. The $41 million program aims to ensure local organisations and councils across the state have the facilities to support more vibrant and inclusive communities. Newcastle State MP Tim Crakanthorp joined Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge and councillor Jennie Barrie on Monday (August 4) to announce the funding and the list of recipients. Mr Crakanthorp welcomed the funding and applauded the program for bringing "much-needed improvements to local facilities". "These projects make a real and impactful difference to the local residents and organisations," Mr Crakanthorp said. "Congratulations to all successful applicants. I look forward to seeing these projects come to life to benefit our community." Cr Kerridge thanked the state government on behalf of the council for their contribution to the upgrade of Hamilton Station Park. "This funding will help provide upgraded lighting, landscaping, and public infrastructure to make the park more welcoming, more accessible, and safer for everyone in the community," Cr Kerridge said. City of Newcastle's executive director of creative and community services, Alissa Jones, said the proposal had been developed using the principles of crime prevention through environmental design to make the park a safer and more welcoming community space. The area is known as Ahwar-tah Bulboolba, which translates to 'flat it is, Wallaby Place. A place of sand flats covered in tea tree scrub and an abundance of wildlife.' It hosts a 'Food Not Bombs' meal service and cupboards, which act as a point of donation for food and other items. The park's proposed upgrade has not been without controversy. Cr Jenny Barrie and others have flagged concerns about the free food sharing initiative drawing antisocial behaviour to the area. But the initiative, Food Not Bombs, has defended itself as trying to help people in need, saying issues in the area won't go away if it were to stop operating.
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
From Palestine to Beasley Park: Lawfield kids spotlight local efforts for change
Homelessness, racism, mental health and international conflict are just a few of the topics on Lawfield Elementary School students' minds. Students in grades 5 to 8 at the Mountain school taught their peers and parents about people, organizations and initiatives in Hamilton that are tackling the issues they're passionate about. On Friday in the school's gym, dozens of students across grades circulated among 50 student-run booths at a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) fair, asking and answering questions. Students circulate taking notes a poster created by Amna Syed, 10, about Hamilton organization Mamas 4 Palestine. The idea, said Grade 8 teacher Allison Kemper, is to give kids agency by teaching them — and having them teach others — about the city's change-makers. It's also an opportunity for students to learn about each other's interests, vice-principal Jessica Reiter added. 'It creates a sense of belonging in our school,' she said. 'Students' identities are being affirmed.' Here are some of the local initiatives students taught their peers about: Grade 5 student Amna Syed, 10, with a booth on Mamas 4 Palestine at Lawfield Elementary School's equity, diversity and inclusion fair. Grade 5 student Amna Syed, 10, researched Mamas 4 Palestine , a group of mothers and community members whose mission, according to their website, is to turn 'collective grief into positive action' through fundraising, education, events and political action. 'I feel bad for people that are in Palestine and how they're getting bombed and dying at very young ages,' Amna said. 'I wanted to spread awareness.' Grade 8 students Samuel Olofinlade, 13, and Ryan Gallacher, 14, with their booth on Lyndon George, executive director of the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre. Grade 8 students Samuel Olofinlade, 13, and Ryan Gallacher, 14, said they liked community organizer Lyndon George's work around anti-racism. The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre , the organization he heads, sent the students T-shirts and stickers — which were stuck to clothing and foreheads around the gym — as well as information about their initiatives. In their research, they learned about the prevalence of hate crime in the city and 'how people are feeling unsafe,' physically and mentally, Samuel said. Ariya Resh, left, and Shambhavi Misra, both 10 and in Grade 5 with their booth on Food Not Bombs. On Sundays at 2 p.m., you'll find the Hamilton chapter of Food Not Bombs in Beasley Park sharing vegan and vegetarian food — an initiative Grade 5 students Shambhavi Misra and Ariya Resh, both 10, spoke passionately about. Grade 5 student Shambhavi Misra explains the local chapter of Food Not Bombs. The local chapter, launched last year, aims to connect people through food and reduce hunger, Shambhavi said. 'They bring people together — together with happiness and compassion,' Ariya said. Elliott Steward, 10, sits with his poster about the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. Ten-year-old Elliott Stewart has a personal connection with the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre — he attends an after-school program at the Ottawa Street organization where his dad works. The Grade 5 student shared the organization's work, which provides the Indigenous community social services like health and nutrition services, parenting support and hospital visits, as well as cultural education, with his school community. 'We made cornhusk dolls,' he said, explaining the challenging practice of wetting, drying and shaping the material. Bennett Walkinshaw, 13, sits by his poster about Mission Services as students circulate taking notes. Bennett Walkinshaw, 13, didn't mince words when talking about homelessness in Hamilton, an issue he's sees all around his city. 'We have a massive homelessness crisis right now,' he said. 'It makes me upset in our day and age in society that we can't give people homes.' The Grade 8 student chose to research Mission Services , a Wentworth Street North organization that offers shelter, food, addiction services and other programs for those in need. Larissa MacPherson (left) and Kara Meek, both 13 and in Grade 8, with their booth on the animal-assisted therapy. Animal lovers Larissa MacPherson and Kara Meek, both 13 and in Grade 8, taught fellow students about dog and horse therapy, a practice in which trained animals are used to improve physical and mental health. Animals, they said, are known to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve communication and other social skills. 'They can't judge us, so people feel accepted around them,' Larissa said.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters rage at Trump chaos
GOSHEN — Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters in Goshen voiced their anger at losing vital government services along with fears over how much more they stand to lose. Close to 600 protesters in Goshen joined thousands of others across Michiana and millions more in cities throughout the country where Hands Off rallies were held Saturday. Local organizer Gabrianna Gratzol expressed the mix of emotions that brought many of them to the steps of the Elkhart County Courthouse, carrying signs that decried the loss of services they rely on from Medicaid and Social Security to public schools, veterans services and health and science research, much of it done without congressional approval. Gratzol encouraged protesters to turn their outrage into action by getting involved with the organizations that are already meeting needs in their community. 'We are all feeling a lot of things right now with this administration. There is a lot of powerlessness, there is a lot of fear, there is a lot of anger,' she said. 'My challenge to you today is to find a group here that you can get involved with. Because the things that are happening at a federal level, what are we going to do other than prepare? We have to make sure that we do not let it happen again and we have to prepare ourselves. So we need each other, we need our neighbors.' Community groups represented at the rally included Safety Networks Ministry, the Michiana Social Justice Coalition, Michiana Alliance for Democracy and Food Not Bombs. Northern Indiana Atheists provided signs for anyone who didn't come armed with their own. Loren Ezra, with Food Not Bombs, said they take food that would otherwise be thrown away and give it to anyone in need. She said they could use more partners in other communities to hand out food or raise funds. She said the organization feeds 80 to 100 people every Sunday with the Our Lady of the Road shelter in South Bend. Ezra expects to see the number rise as double-digit tariffs announced for nearly every country promises to make food less affordable for many people. 'We expect there to be more, because over the last few months we've had an increase in young families, and with these tariffs, we expect food prices to go up,' she said. 'We, as a community, come together and we feed anyone who shows up. It doesn't matter, we don't ask you for your taxes, we don't ask for your name, we don't ask for your immigration status. We don't care. If you're there, you're hungry, we give you a plate. That's how everything should be. If someone's hungry, they need food.' Speakers also included Brian Smith, chair of congressional District 2 for the Indiana Democratic Party, and Corinne Straight, former director of communications for the Elkhart mayor's office. Both of them urged protesters to pay attention to local politics, whether it's to see where alarming new laws are tested out or to run for office themselves. 'When we start paying attention at the local level – that includes our local representative, our state representative and our state legislature – we can get people more engaged,' Straight said. 'This is a game to (Sen. Jim Banks). This is a game. Our lives, our Social Security, our health care, our veterans benefits, our jobs, our financial livelihood, our retirement that we've been planning for for decades. It's a game to people like Jim Banks.' She told protesters to prepare themselves to take sustained action to undo the harm that's been done, because it didn't happen overnight. She said the groundwork for Project 2025, the 900-page policy blueprint that voters were warned about before the election, was laid in Indiana a decade ago. 'We did not get here in one election cycle or two election cycles, we got here after decades. And all of us have to be very honest with ourselves: Many of us thought our rights were permanent. Many of us thought we couldn't lose them. I thought I couldn't lose them. I was naïve, I was privileged, and I got complacent. And when we get complacent, we get taken advantage of, and that's why we're here,' Straight said. 'I remember when Indiana was not this red hell-scape. It got this way because of a lot of money and a lot of people got lazy. We ain't lazy anymore. We may not have the money, but we have the people.' Smith encouraged attendees to serve their community by running for local office, where he said ordinary people can make the most difference. 'We're here today because we want to preserve democracy, and the best way to preserve democracy is to use our democracy. Next year is going to be an incredibly important election for us, at the federal level all the way down to the local level,' he said. 'Unfortunately, there are too many offices that go unopposed at every level, but let's change that next year. If you're looking around, 'Why don't have I have anybody to vote for for this office, why is my ballot blank?' I'm saying, it's time for you to step up.' He said offices like township trustee help people facing food and housing insecurity but are often held by people who don't believe those offices should even exist. 'We are just at such a crossroads in our country that we need new people to step up. Average people, working-class people. Government doesn't just go to the richest, government and democracy belong to all of us. For all,' he said. 'We've got a lot of offices on the ballot next year, and we've got an incredible opportunity to harness the power that is here today for action, for good, for our community, for each other. For the people.'
