11 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - In these tough economic times, life can be even harder for those without a place to stay and don't know when they will eat their next meal. This week's Good People are a group of local volunteers who make sure that those less fortunate don't spend their Sundays with an empty stomach.
They call themselves Food Not Bombs, a grassroots organization dedicated to serving those in need. It began as an anti-nuclear group protesting the amount of money the government puts into bombs versus into helping serve people.
The volunteers collect donations of excess food and fruit from local businesses and residents before it goes to waste. They prepare healthy vegetarian meals, load them up on their bikes and hand them out to the homeless in Cesar Chavez park.
"It's a statement of consumerism, how we dump boxes and boxes of usable produce, it's just thrown in the dumpster," said volunteer Sarena Ramirez. "We take and recover that and we serve about 100 people."
Those without homes and jobs know that at least once a week, they can go to the park to fill their empty stomachs with a hearty meal. The volunteers have often heard their recipients say if it wasn't for Food Not Bombs every week, they wouldn't eat on Sundays.
This group is a small part of a much bigger organization that supports the idea of the freedom to serve. Volunteer Ming Lai said it's growing into an international movement made up of people who want to serve others without being regulated or licensed in a mercantile kind of way.
They hope to send the message that food is a reward for those who can afford it and instead of wasting surplus produce, it should be given to those who need it most.
"It's a good way to get good food and good people and I really respect what they're doing for the homeless," said Robert Valenzuela who eats at the park every Sunday.
These volunteers are making a difference one hot plate at a time.
Food Not Bombs is looking for additional donations and volunteers through the organization's Web site here.
KXTV/News 10
