#solidaritystew

Sasha’s idea of cutting up pictures and having everyone colour random pieces, without knowing what the big picture looked like, led to a nice series of art last year! #UnityArt

Last year our family realized we wanted to find new ways to engage in issues that concern us, and learn more about things we haven’t wrapped our heads around yet.

We also love hosting gatherings around food, and have a great network of friends, neighbours and allies who are well informed and passionate about many things.

So we came up with the idea of having monthly open house events for a few hours, with a focus on finding ways to support various causes through a variety of actions, while providing comfort food for the soul and belly via yummy soups, stews and other nibbles among friends.

Thus, the Solidarity Stew was created. A space where people can pop by to find actions they can support, donate money to the cause of the month, and enjoy company of good people. Some stay for a quick moment, while others hang the whole time!

We have created ‘Unity Art’ while chatting about things (see post with pics of Unity Art from last year), and try to find activities so there is something for all ages. What will we create this year?

With all the mess of the world, we need a diversity of tactics to create change,  and so much good work is already being done. We want to highlight efforts that need support, and also try to come up with our own actions - and we want to have fun doing it, and everything is better with friends. :)

From the 5 gatherings we hosted in 2017 we: raised money for local organizations helping people in need and protecting the environment; signed petitions to stop things like the increase of oil tankers in Burrard inlet; raised awareness of great advocacy work of groups like the Council of Canadians;  learned more about concerns of our friends and also about some amazing initiatives around town.

There is good in the world and it feels good to know it!

We'll begin 2018 with a Solidarity Stew focusing on Climate Change + Food Security, exploring the positives of our local food network realities, and looking at barriers to effective change that still exist for everyone to have access to healthy affordable food close to home.

The point is to not just sit around talking about these things, but to also commit some time & energy to do something about them. Whatever actions we can come up with together at each gathering.