Grassroots organizations are working to provide relief to Tallahassee’s local residents and students facing food insecurity. Food Not Bombs and the Capital City Mutual Aid are two local groups continuing to provide assistance to those who find themselves in need during this difficult time.
Food Not Bombs has scheduled two community food shares on Sunday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 29, in E. Green Park behind the LeRoy Collins Library, 229 E. Park Ave. One scheduled for Nov. 15 will be held at Carter-Howell-Strong Park at the corner of W. Georgia and N. Copeland streets.
Volunteers at the Capital City Mutual Aid keep the plant open for general use Monday through Friday from 2 pm to 5 pm. At this time, the organization does not have any scheduled events planned.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the root cause of food insecurity: poverty. Tallahassee, which is already home to the poorest ZIP code in the state of Florida, 32304, saw a notable increase in the homeless population in the months following the beginning of quarantine.
With nearly 80 percent of American workers already living paycheck to paycheck, the economic shutdown to combat the spread of COVID-19 left many jobless, and shortly thereafter, homeless.
The pandemic drastically changed the way people are able to interact, forcing systems already in place to fight food insecurity to adapt relief efforts.
Cesar, a volunteer with CCMA, said there is a real need for this kind of action within the community.
“One of our volunteers today took 40 dozen eggs to Frenchtown and he got rid of all of them,” Cesar said. “People needed that food.”
CCMA aims to alleviate financial stress by providing food for free, allowing those in need to allocate their funds towards their bills and other necessities.
Anyone is welcome to take what they need and leave anything they do not need.
Both organizations operate on a volunteer system free of hierarchy and judgement, where anyone is welcome to lend, or accept, a helping hand.
The goal of these mutual aid efforts is to foster solidarity rather than provide charity.
“It’s to help build community, not looking down on anyone” said Nik, a volunteer at the Plant, a DIY community art venue located on West Gaines Street. “This is your family, your friends, and they’re hungry. That’s the way I see it.”
Food Not Bombs, a group that has been operating nationwide since 1981, organizes pop-up food shares providing hot meals as well as free clothing and hygiene items to anyone with a need.
FNB was born out of protests which occurred in Boston in the year 1980 related to a nuclear power plant. These protests soon morphed into a movement “to inspire the public to participate in changing society and focus our resources on solving problems like hunger, homelessness and poverty.”
CCMA holds a “really really free market,” an open market supplied by donations of food, clothing, and other essential items. All goods are free to the public, and anyone is welcome to contribute more or use the items available. The RRFM is held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week at The Plant.
The Plant serves as an all inclusive setting for some of CCMA’s mutual aid events. It has, however, had its own shift in operations due to the pandemic.
Brian Damage, a volunteer with The Plant and FNB, said COVID-19 stifled the interaction that lies at the core of The Plant’s community-oriented mission.
“The space is all about collaboration and interacting with the community, so it kind of put a halt to all of that,” Brian said. “For a few months there was hardly anything happening.”
The Plant also saw a portion of its donations dry up, which are vital in keeping it open. Any money donations can be sent to $ThePlantTally on Cashapp.
Despite the unique challenges brought forth by the pandemic, these local groups are still fighting to make a difference, and welcome any and all to come be a part of their vision for a better community.
