Free Food Revolution

So starting a new blog has turned out to be a flop, but try number two should be golden. I feel like the last month or so has absolutely flown by. I realized I haven't been home (in Madison) on a weekend for over a month. Crazy. But what have I been up to you may ask...well a lot of randomness: frisbee tournments in the cities/in Lousiana, ALPs (adventure learning programs--my new job) training weekend, chaperoning Snow Camp for Blackhawk Church's jr. high. In midst all the business one of my favorite things has been Sunday afternoons at 3:00 at the end of State Street. Free Food Revolution. It is amazing. A little background: a couple decided to start bringing food outside to feed the homeless, and creating a potluck atmosphere: whoever can bring food brings food to share and chills/eats/talks to everyone. It is sweet. A couple of stories. On one particular Sunday I think it was the coldest it had been all year. A roomates mom had given us handwarmers to bring as well as a big pot of warm soup. Though there were less people around (most were warming up in the library or capital), those who came were extremely thankful. The handwarmers were a hit. My roommate Katie was wearing a scarf I had made in the hopes of giving it to someone who needed it. A man, speaking mostly Spanish, asked her if there were any scarfs to give away. Though when she offered the one I had made which was around her neck he refused, he eventually took it after her attempt to explain it's purpose in Spanish. The same man was with a group of other Spanish speaking men, all coming after hearing we had gloves we were giving away. All the gloves had been taken, but after realizing how cold it was outside, especially to live out in it, Katie and I gave up our mittens. The thing I like best about Free Food Revolution is that it doesn't create a superior/inferior atmosphere but a community helping when it can. I love hearing the stories and histories of the people I've met. Stereotypes and ideas I've held, often unconsciously, are being broken down and replaced with real experiences and relationships. and I love it.