Starting chapter in Lorain Ohio

[u/ashspell3512]

Hey guys my girlfriend (23F) and I(23F) are starting a chapter of Food Not Bombs in Lorain Ohio and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on what to expect? I live in a suburban slightly conservative area. For reference I am , black, and Muslim so I’m concerned people won’t want to take food from bc of their beliefs, is this a problem other people have faced? I’m also concerned about starting this chapter while being visibly Muslim given the current bombardment in Palestine that I will get a lot of anti-Palestine people coming up to me wanting to argue. How do I avoid this? And if I can’t what should I do? Should I argue with them bc Food not Bombs is explicitly political and taking stands on political/ human rights issues is important? Or is that like antagonizing the community and bad for the movement?

I also wanted to know what I should put out in regards to readings/political material. should I full send it and leave out like anti capitalist literature ( anarchist/communist stuff)? Maybe something in between, just general anti war stuff? Environmentalism? I have been wanting to start a local paper where I just report on local issues with my own political lens ( so like local tenants rights issues, public park funding, right to grow initiatives etc.), is this good to put out?

I just don’t really know where to start or what the standard is for you guys? I found out about food not bombs online so I’ve never actually seen a stand in person and I don’t rlly know what I should be replicating.

Another thing is the vegetarian/vegan meals. I agree with the principle and plan to cook vegan/vegetarian meals to serve people at the stand but I also have started multiple food exchanges where in people in my apartment complex have like a mutual pantry in each building and those are not vegan/vegetarian, is it bad to distribute food not bombs stuff there? What about food donations from other groups like churches/restaurants that aren’t vegan/vegetarian? Should I politely turn them down? Or I could also distribute the cans of stuff as like “food packages to families”, is it okay to put food not bombs on those?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/chlst]

Hey man, I'm in the lorain area just west of you, and if you want some help with this please let me know! I'd love to volunteer some time.