A man on the FBI's terrorist watch-list stopped by Linn Benton's campus Thursday. The man was Keith McHenry, one of eight co-founders of Food Not Bombs, a 30-year-old group that specializes in feeding those who need it.
Thursday afternoon, McHenry gave an hour long presentation discussing Food Not Bombs, his background, the purpose of the organization and its history. He told of how his participation in FNB led to multiple arrests but also the positive impact that it has had on those involved.
McHenry wasn't always a part of the organization. The whole idea started when he was a produce worker near Boston. When protesters were picketing against a nuclear power plant, McHenry and a few of his friends thought it would be a good idea to support them by feeding them. Taking good produce that was marked to be thrown out anyways, McHenry gave away the food to the protesters. And thus an idea was born.
Food Not Bombs is an all volunteer organization. Helping around 1000 cities a week, chapters are located worldwide. Started in Boston, the movement has reached San Francisco, DC and even local cities such as Albany and Corvallis. However, those chapters have shut down. Eugene has a very active FNB chapter along with others in Ore. Food Not Bombs has even reached international status. Keith McHenry has visited chapters in Bosnia and Nigeria that had started on their own.
Although the main focus is to protest war, poverty and enviromental destruction, McHenry and the other autonomous chapters help any one that is in need of food and help. During the clean up of the 9/11 tragedy, Food Not Bombs supplied food to the rescue workers. When Katrina hit areas needed help, FNB was the main source of food for the stranded and helpless. The Red Cross even handed out the main number to reach FNB. Homeless shelters and even daycares have been helped by FNB chapters. In Michael Moore's documentary "Capitalism: A love story", the FNB group can be seen handing out food to protesters.
Food Not Bombs serves only vegan and vegetarian food. Main staples such as rice, bread and even tofu are given out along with the produce. While some people may not like the idea of vegan food, it's a lot easier to help others. There is no need to cook, freeze or store food and to worry about spoiling.
In 1988, McHenry and FNB started their San Francisco era. While serving food in a park to the homeless, McHenry and others were arrested for serving food without a permit. This didn't deter them, however. And the group was arrested a second time, with the event making news on CNN and the London Times.
When others got wind of the story, they took part in the FNB events. Nuns, priests, teachers' unions and even a lawyer's guild were a part of the crowds. Some of them were arrested, with exception to the lawyers; only the eaters were arrested that time. Eventually, people from chapters in other cities wanted to know how they could get arrested, so a flier titled "Seven Steps to starting a local Food Not Bombs Group" was made.
At one point, McHenry was arrested as part of California's three strikes law. He was looking at years in jail for charges such as rioting and felony conspiracy to serve food. The charges didn't stick but these and other arrest had put McHenry on the FBI's terrorist watch-list.
The event in the DAC had a good turnout. Around twenty visitors showed up and some members of the audience asked questions following the speech. LB's new president Dr. Gregory Hamann stopped by to watch the presentation. Free fruit, chips, and drinks were available to the crowd. For more information, those interested can check out the Food Not Bombs official site.
(At a Glance: Keith McHenry: Founder of Food Not Bombs; Food Not Bombs: International organization dedicated to feeding those who support peace through protest; Contact: www.foodnotbombs.net; Local Chapters: Salem, Ore.-5292 10th St . Eugene, Ore.-Contact 541-520-9109)
