Milwaukee Celebrates Food First’s Birthday!

Food First’s supporters are celebrating our 40th Anniversary by holding fundraisers to end the injustices that cause hunger.

On June 27, Gabriela Dieguez of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called nearly 50 friends together.  Although it was a very busy that night in the Third Ward, the weather was warm and the sky was clear. No one minded walking a few blocks to find parking. Several people donated food and drink, and the event took place in Core El Centro, a green building with a rain garden and an orchard on the roof and where multiple holistic community health services are provided. Entertainment and inspiration came from Ricardo Broach and Diego Ramirez, who both played the guitar and sang. Ricardo  shared two beautiful stories about cultivating friendship:

“The Friendship Orchard” is a tale from Central Asia in which two friends, who lived in a barren and cold steppe managed to survive by working very hard and sharing the little they had. During the planting season one of them found a treasure chest and after a long debate they decided to go purchase seed to plant an orchard, but on their way they found a merchant who had a thousand caged birds on his way to market. They traded their treasure in exchange for the bird’s release. They walked several days back and upon their return home they found a thousand beautiful birds on their field, each planting a seed in the soil with its beak. Many years passed and Kurai and Dau passed away before they could see the beautiful orchard that grew on their field, they did not get to taste the fruits or the orchard but they had eaten the fruit of friendship for many years.

While not many people had heard of Food First’s mission to end the injustices that cause hunger, the message fell on fertile ground: everyone who came had a long history of working for justice and peace in many parts of the world. They were friends of the community, involved in efforts to make Milwaukee a healthier place.

The event raised a record $2,000! But the gathering was more than a fundraiser, it was an occasion to celebrate the fruits of friendship.

Help Food First reach its goal of raising $40,000 in its 40th year! You too can host a Food First Birthday party! Just click on this link