JOIN OUR FOODIE CORPS!
FOOD TRUCKS + FESTIVALS = FUN!
...and a lot of hard work

Be a part of the Food Truck Festivals of New England team!
If you are motivated and ready to work hard, we want you!
We’ll pay you $50 per festival + free food + assistance to and from the out-of-Greater Boston festivals! There are two shifts: 7am-1pm and 11am-5pm. We’re most interested in team members who can do all of our festivals.  

For more information, visit:
foodtruckfestivalsofne.com/volunteer 

 

2012 Festivals 

(Mostly Saturdays— Rain or Shine)
June 10+: The Boston Food Truck Festival at the UMass Boston Campus Center / Boston, MA
June 16: The Charlestown Food Truck Festival at Pier 4 / Charlestown, MA
(benefit for Courageous Sailing Program)
June 30:  The New Hampshire Food Truck Festival at Rockingham Park / Salem, NH
July 14: The Worcester Food Truck Festival at Elm Park / Worcester, MA
July 28: The Charles River Food Truck Festival at DCR’s Artesani Herter Park / Brighton, MA
August 25: The Cape Cod Food Truck Festival at Barnstable Fairgrounds / Falmouth, MA 
Sept. 8: The Lowell Food Truck Festival at the Tsongas Center / Lowell, MA
Sept. 22: The Suffolk Downs Food Truck Festival / East Boston, MA*
Sept. 29: The Shipyard Food Truck Festival at the Hingham Shipyard / Hingham, MA 
Oct. 6: The Framingham Food Truck Festival at Shoppers World / Framingham, MA 
Oct. 20: The Newport Food Truck Festival at the Newport Yachting Center / Newport, RI
+ Sunday event

 

Contact us at:
brittany@foodtruckfestivalsofne.com
or (617) 782-7117

www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com
www.twitter.com/foodtruckfestne
www.facebook.com/foodtruckfestivalsofne

 

WITHOUT FUNDING GRASSROOTS GROUP BUILDS A MOVEMENT

Marking Four Years of Building a Cross-Issue Progressive Network in Boston

1400 Members, 80 Events, and Countless Connections Made Since 2006

Boston-based network Socializing for Justice will commemorate its fourth anniversary with an Open House event called Connecting for Justice on September 16th from 6-9PM at Lir Irish Pub on Boylston Street in Boston. Held three times a year, this event draws hundreds of progressives of all stripes - diverse by age, race, gender, sexual orientation, newness to Boston and experience with activism. The purpose is to build a cross-issue progressive community, network and movement in Boston while putting the social back in social justice. Newcomers and long-time members will come together at Connecting for Justice to celebrate the remarkable success of this member-driven, volunteer-run grassroots group.

Socializing for Justice is the brainchild of local activist, community organizer and event planner Robbie Samuels. For almost 10 years, Robbie has been involved with Boston’s progressive community through a number of organizations. He has been recognized for his efforts - in 2009 he was the inaugural recipient of the History Project’s Lavender Rhino Award and the Theater Offensive’s Gender Hero Award. In creating SoJust, Robbie has combined fun, socializing and cross-issue mobilization as never before.

The vision for SoJust comes from Robbie’s firsthand experience. He wanted to address what he was repeatedly finding in his work – that individuals, organizations, and campaigns stunted their effectiveness by focusing solely on single-issue work. He shares, “There was a definite void that I thought SoJust could fill. I thought that if we could get enough people representing enough progressive issues into a room, we might be able to engender cross-issue collaboration and more effectively fight for social justice.”

At their “birthday” event participants can experience the connecting power of Socializing for Justice for themselves. There will be Action Stations to link attendees with local organizations, a Catalyst Corner with “I’m Looking For” and “Ask Me About” tags, a Jobs Board filled with openings from other social change groups and a free Literature Table. These features mirror options on SoJust’s website, www.sojust.org, an online hub where social justice events, job and volunteer opportunities from other social change organizations are cross-posted on the Calendar and Message Board.

Get involved with Boston’s fastest-growing cross-issue progressive community. Network with like-minded progressives and find the space and opportunities you’ve been searching for. In the words of Robbie, ““If you think this group MIGHT be for you – it is.” Learn more and RSVP for Connecting for Justice at www.sojust.org.

You're Fired

I don't know about many of you but I am tired of hearing about the big banks in America, and the enormous payouts they give to some of their employees. If you were "top big to fail" then how come you needed a large sum for bailout money from the government a year ago?

You may not have heard of it yet but there is a

grassroots effort to Move your Money from the big banks to a smaller bank. The thought behind this movement is that smaller community banks did not and will not make the risky investments that brought us to the current financial crisis. As Arianna Huffington writes, "Consider it a withdrawl tax on the big banks for the negative service they provide by consistently ignoring the public interest."

I really like this idea, supporting small local banks. Sure I may have to walk a little farther to find an ATM who will not charge me a fee, but if that money isn't going to pay some enormous bonus/salary to an executive at a bank who doesn't care about the local community, then I am all for it!

To find a list of the small community banks in your area go to moveyourmoney.info/

For now I will put my best Donald Trump impression on, and go to my bank and say "You're Fired". I am still debating if I should add the hand gesture with it. Thoughts?

Related Posts: I want to spend money, Turning your cause into a community

Picture courtesy of :http://www.medicalpracticetrends.com/tag/software/

Volunteer Ideas, Vol 2

No. 2:
HEET:
Home Energy Efficiency Team

Want to show off your handy man/woman skills or learn some new ones? "HEET organizes free weatherization parties to teach volunteers hands-on how to lower their energy bills and carbon emissions. We consult with energy experts to pass on accurate information. We build community, create social marketing for energy efficiency and help facilitate exchanges of ideas."

The nuts and bolts: You get to help others AND help yourself. I was the caulking queen (immature jokes aside) at Cambridgeport School. I went home and fixed my own windows, felt warmer and saved myself some green while being green. What's not to love about that?

Location: A home, school, community meeting place, etc somewhere in the Boston area.
Commitment: Usually a half day; sign up as they come up.
Training: None necessary. Bring your skills and/or can do attitude.
Duties: Varies from painting to caulking to replacing windows to whatever you're willing to try!
Contact: heet.cambridge@gmail.com or visit heetma.com

Volunteer Ideas, Vol 1

Whatever your interest or skill set, there is some creative way for you to give back to others and the community. Most of us have less money to toss around and give away than we did a couple years ago so we've been neglecting the people who need our support.

The answer: Time & Talent

My answer: Throwing out an idea or two or three every week on how to give back with a tiny bit of time/talent commitment. Here we go!

No. 1: Horizon's for Homeless Children

Some of you think, "why should I help someone out who got his/herself into this situation in the first place!?" Well this group of little ones is undeniably deserving of every bit of assistance and love we can spare. They were born into situations they will never understand. What can you do? Help them develop, learn to share, laugh, and make loads of positive memories.

Horizon's for Homeless Children sets up play areas at homeless shelters throughout Massachusetts and then supplies responsible, fun loving volunteers as "Playspace Activity Leaders" to "foster healthy development through interactions and play." And you're not just helping when you're on site! While you're playing with the kids, mom/dad/guardian is able to attend career counseling classes so he/she can find a job and get a real home.

Locations: all over MA
Commitment: 2 hr shift every week for 6 months
Training: 3 hour training
Duties: think Mary Poppins of Joey Gladstone - be the fun 'adult'
Contact: Horizons for Homeless Children (617) 445-1480 or (800) 560-7702

How do I know it's good? I volunteered as a PAL during college. Questions? Just ask!

Eat Better this Season!!!

"Imagine for a moment if we once again knew, strictly as a matter of course, these few unremarkable things: What it is we're eating. Where it came from. How it found its way to our table. And what, in a true accounting, it really cost," - Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma

Let's follow in the footsteps of our forefathers this season (minus the murderous killing spree) and get our food local. Come down to Suffolk Law School near the Boylston T stop this Tuesday to learn about local and sustainable eating in the Boston area.

We'll have FREE local snacks and a raffle for Apfel Eis Wine from Still River Winery in Central Mass.

Our distinguished speakers:

Alex Loud, Slow Food Boston
Matthew Kochka, ReVision Urban Farm
Jessica Banhazl, Green City Growers
Jamey Lionette, Lionette's Market

DETAILS:

RSVP To: boston (at) OYFP (dot) org by 4 p.m. Tuesday and get a free raffle ticket!!!
Date: Tuesday, November 17th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Suffolk Law School Faculty Dining Room, 4th FL Suite 495 120 Tremont Street Boston, MA, 02108-4977 617.573.8000
Who: OYFP Boston, Suffolk University's Sustainability Committee
Cost: Free

Volunteer Opportunity!

Hospitality Homes, a local Boston nonprofit that provides cost-free, temporary housing for the families and friends of patients traveling to Boston for medical care, is holding its major annual fundraiser and needs volunteers!

Hospitality Homes seeks volunteers for its 7th Annual Charity Golf Classic on Friday, September 11, at Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA. Registration begins shortly after 7 a.m. and the event runs until mid-afternoon, concluding with a lunch and live auction with sportscaster Bob Lobel as guest auctioneer. Volunteers are welcome to commit to either full or half days and will perform a number of tasks, including set-up, registration, contest promotion, auction logistics, and wrap-up. This is a great opportunity for a fun, team-building experience. The Charity Golf Classic is the major annual fundraising event for Hospitality Homes, which provides no-cost, temporary housing in volunteer host homes for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers. To register as a volunteer, please contact Jeff Stokes at jstokes@hosp.org or 617.482.4338.

To learn more about Hospitality Homes, visit www.hosp.org.

On Your Feet Project Volunteers serve Friday Night Supper!

The Friday Night Supper Program is a Boston based "soup kitchen." FNSP has served nutritious home-cooked meals to homeless and hungry people in Boston every Friday night since 1984. Every. Friday. Night.

Tonight! 10-15 OYFP volunteers are donating their time to serve hot meals and distribute clothes to over 150 guests.

If you cant make it tonight you can go next Friday, or the Friday after that or...you get the point.

Volunteering with FNSP provides a meaningful way for individuals and groups to “give back” to the community, and it is a wonderful way to meet and work with people who share your concern for helping others. Volunteering also provides a valuable educational opportunity for individuals and groups who want to learn more about and advocate for the end of hunger and related social issues.

Cheers!

How's the End of Your Sidewalk?

I am going to pull a Christina here and write about something I have noticed on my walk to work.  Recently the end ramps of sidewalks around Teele square in Somerville have been dug up and replaced with these tiles in the picture to the right.  I didn't know why the city would do this, so I asked around.   Is it to help pedestrians navigate the sidewalk when its icy out?  Give us traction when it rains?

It turns out that that this is a detectable warning tactile tile, which helps visually impaired people find the end of the street and wheelchair users have access to get on and off the sidewalk.   I am glad that City of Somerville is making efforts to make their sidewalks more friendly for the individuals that are differently abeled than myself.  Isn't it amazing how much you take for granted, such as crossing the street safely?  

A point to ponder is why haven't I noticed this tile elsewhere before?  Possibly I only noticed this NEW change to the neighborhood, mostly because it effected the path I take to work and there could be longstanding ones in the Boston area that I have never noticed.  It also makes me wonder what else I take for granted/ never noticed around my community?  

What positive changes have you noticed in your neighborhood lately?

Related Posts: Guide Horse?, Please shovel your sidewalks

Counting Counts! 2010 Census.

Census: Who, What, Where, When, and Why?

Being counted in the Census counts because its provides the government the ability to know where it should spend our money. For example, if a city or town has more children living in it than it had ten years ago, it might be a good place to build another school or playground. The census helps determine the distribution of roughly $300 billion a year in federal funds to state and local governments – or $3 trillion over a ten-year period.

What: It’s a count.
- The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.

Who: Everyone & everywhere in the U.S.
- All residents of the United States must be counted. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens.

When: Every 10 years.
- Census questionnaires will be mailed or delivered to every household in the United States in March 2010. The first Census was conducted in 1790.

Why: The numbers affect funding in y(our) community.
- The population totals determine each state’s Congressional representation. The numbers also affect funding in your community and help inform decision makers about how your community is changing.

How:
- The Census Bureau will mail or deliver questionnaires to your house in March 2010. The Bureau will mail a second form to households that do not respond to the initial questionnaire. Households that still do not respond will be called or visited by a Census worker. (Census workers can be identified by a census badge and bag.)

March 2010 be counted.

Opinions Please!

Survey time... it should take you less than 1 minute. Who doesn't have 1 minute to spare?

This summer, OYFP Boston hope to hold a sequence of panels that address interesting issues impacting our communities and provide information on how to become involved in addressing them. Completing this survey will help OYFP achieve that goal.

CLICK HERE.

or here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=RGONqLRiul6EQwLI_2bSZfqw_3d_3d

Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions about OYFP’s Speaker Series.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s YSPN Program

On Friday April 3, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston will hold their first annual YSPN Spring Event hosted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino at Boston’s historic Parkman House.

The event, sponsored by WHDH-TV, will feature dinner, drinks and music. All proceeds will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s YSPN program and its continued efforts to develop stable, healthy relationships with the city’s most at-risk youth.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s YSPN Program
Date: Friday April 3, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Ticket price: $100
Location: The Parkman House, 33 Beacon Street
MBTA: Green Line, Park Street

Photos and information pulled from: http://www.bgcb.org

Going Above and Beyond

Like Christina, I also see random things while on my way to work. Yesterday morning I saw a hair cutter from Mario's Salon in Davis Square (I think it was Mario himself) help a blind person cross the street. The employee of Mario's Salon didn't stop there but walked with the blind person all the way to the T and led him to a MBTA staff member to assist the blind person with getting on the public transportation.

Now was this simply an employee helping out a client in order to keep the client returning for his services? Maybe, however I rarely see people go above and beyond their call of duty for others in general, not to mention those who are differently abled. Could the employee have helped the blind person cross the street, and then gone back to business, sure, but I thought it was really a nice thing that he followed the blind person the whole way to the T.

I would also like to point out that there was still some snow/ice on the sidewalk which made it very dangerous to walk, especially if one can't see the snow/ice. Even more reason I think it was commendable for this hair cutter to walk this blind person all the way to the T.

So I just wanted to take the time to give a shout out to those people that go above and beyond the call of duty. Do you know of/seen anyone who has gone above the call of duty?

Related Posts: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, "champions" of a cause, There's nothing like a warm cup of coffee

Photo Courtesy of: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=239876951

OYFP Works.

People volunteer for many reasons, sometimes it is to make connections, or to give back, or to learn new skills, or sometimes its just to meet new people.

I volunteer because I'm selfish.

I give my time, talents and treasures because I want better, a better community and a better neighbor.

I'm concerned with my own welfare and just as a rising tide lifts all boats, lending a hammer or an hand leads to a better community.

Its not always easy to volunteer, all too often its hard work. This is one thing we're trying to change with the Spirit of Service event on March 5.

Tonight, I'm walking the walk, I'm pitching in at Friday Night Suppers. I'll let you know how it goes.

About the picture: Built in 1897 on Boston Common, the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial depicts Colonel Shaw on horseback leading the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first all-volunteer black regiment in the Union army organized in a Northern state. The story of the 54th Massachusetts was made into the 1989 feature film, Glory, starring Morgan Freedman, Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. From: discoverblackheritage.com

Spirit of Service

Please join the free Spirit of Service networking event on Thursday, March 5th at MJ O'Connor's, next to the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

At this free networking event ORGANIZATIONS will:
- promote their cause and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
- vet young professionals for their advisory board and various committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

At this free networking event INDIVIDUALS will:
- discover opportunities for community involvement in Boston.
- meet other individuals of integrity and selflessness who embody the Spirit of Service.
- learn what it's like to join executive boards, advisory boards & young professional committees.
- join, encourage, and promote an era of responsibility.

This Spirit of Service event is an opportunity to make a commitment to our communities, an opportunity to get engaged, and an opportunity to help solve our most critical problems.

Yes, We Can - Make it a day on

On Sunday, January 18th, in the spirit of the King Day of Service, the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), in partnership with Green Decade Cambridge and with funding from the Massachusetts Service Alliance, will hold a Weatherization Barnraising at The Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House and the Cambridgeport School.

Traditionally, a “barnraising” was when a community would come together to help a family build a barn. Using this concept HEET is brining volunteers together to weatherize The Margaret Fuller Neigborhood House and The Cambridgeport School.

HEET has organized expert builders and contractors to lead the weatherization activities. Weatherization is the practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, predominantly from sunlight, precipitation, wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency.

Dr. King’s Day of service aims to make the Martin Luther King holiday a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to “improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned.” For more information about the King Day of Service please visit http://mlkday.gov.

The Home Energy Efficiency Team is raising funds in order to make weatherization barnraisings available to households that cannot afford the cost of weatherization materials. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to support some of our neighbors who are most in need.

Check back for hammer in hand interviews and pictures posted live from yours truly.

Picture from http://www.mlkday.gov.

Looking forward to a day ON, not a day OFF

Are you just now finding yourself recovering from the post-election frenzy, or starting to already tune out to the pre-inauguration hype, or maybe you think the most interesting development seen on CNN politics recently has been Dr. Sanjay Gupta's nomination to U.S. Surgeon General?

Yah me too. So, while you could spend next Monday's holiday catching up on CSPAN. But what better way to become re-engaged in the state of our nation, by directly volunteering to improve the state of our state. (Which, by the way Governor Patrick will be delivering his speech Wednesday January 15th--remember to tune in!)

President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Biden have launched a National Day of Service to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and enable Americans to make an ongoing commitment to volunteer service and civic engagement on the eve of this new administration.

The National Day of Service is a mass-organizing effort to engage volunteers to help organizations in communities across the nation. In Boston and Massachusetts, field directors hope to have hundreds of service projects ready to go over the course of this coming three day weekend--January 17-19. Many local groups have created new events to assist organizations with one-time opportunities and others have requested help with specific, ongoing projects.

To find out how to get involved, find an opportunity in your neighborhood, and sign up to volunteer--the Presidential Inaugural Committee has launched a website where all of these events can easily be searched by zip code. Visit www.usaservice.org to see more details.

Honestly, what else do you have to do next Monday, January 19th? You weren't really planning on taking the day off to do laundry, catch up on sleep, continue to work, or watch the new episodes of 24 all day, were you? Why not help organize goods at a Longwood food bank, clean up the North End streets and waterfront, learn more about online youth mentoring Downtown, improve and beautify a Charlestown community center, help repair a neighborhood house in Cambridge, assemble care packages in Somerville, improve a family center in Dorchester, help care for shelter animals in JP, and countless (seriously) other projects around town.

There are so many families out there for which Monday will not be a holiday off, but I know for me, I'll be making the most of mine by helping out in some small way.

Food Banks and Food Pantries in Massachusetts

With all this talk about people's funds being limited and needing to seek assistance from food banks, I thought it would be useful to provide a list of all the food pantries in the Boston area, or Massachusetts overall.

But I couldn't find one.

At least not a comprehensive one. I could find the big ones - like the Greater Boston Food Bank, and a few smaller local joints, but no comprehensive list. A search on Google Local brought back lots of food pantries and food banks... as well as some Stop & Shops, Citizens Banks, and a few restaurants.

Not helpful.

Not to mention, many food banks and emergency food providers don't even have websites.

With allllllll of that in mind, I bring to you the great, the wonderful, the quite useful Food Bank and Food Pantry Map of Massachusetts. I compiled all of the information based on the Google Local search. You can zoom in on your local area to find the closest food bank to you, where you can bring donations or if you need it, get some help.

If you know of a food bank or pantry that is not listed there, just drop me a line at boston at oyfp dot org and I'll add you on.

Happy Food Banking!

Resources: Food Bank and Food Pantry Map of Massachusetts
Related Posts: Food is key to culture; Food for Thought; Partying for Good; Helping with a mullet; Helping a little old lady

Feeling Thankful - Spread it Around

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. You get to eat a lot and think about why you're thankful. I'm willing to bet we all have something to be thankful for even during these hard economic times.

Some of the things I'm happy about this year:

- I have a good paying job that I like

- I have OYFP!

- I get to have two Thanksgiving dinners, one with my family and one with my boyfriend's family --- mmmmm pie!

If you want to help other people keep some full bellies or perhaps have an empty belly yourself, consider donating to or visiting the following local food banks and food pantries:

- Red Cross Food Pantry, 1033 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge

- Greater Boston Food Bank, 99 Atkinson Rd, Boston

- Boston Medical Center Food Pantry, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston

Or check out Boston.com's list of pantries and shelters who could use a little assistance this season, and really, all year long.

Happy Turkey Day!

Some of the family and friends I'm grateful for (I'm on the far left)

Related Posts: Election day food drive; Tapas for Toys at Tapeo; Find Local Food Locally

Sobriety Checkpoints Keeping Us Safe

After a particularily debaucherous night two summers ago, my boyfriend and I hailed a cab and fell into it, laughing and feeling lucky we got the little yellow car to stop for us. We sat in the back seat recounting the evening's events, when suddenly --BAM-- the car behind us hit our cab! It was odd, since we had been sitting at the light for awhile, as had she. The cabby got out to check for damage, and upon finding none, got back in the car.

Meanwhile, this drive drove swerved around us, went through the red light, and jerkily made her way onto 93N. This woman was Lindsay Lohan drunk, stuff your face with pizza drunk, throw up in a trash can drunk, and she was behind the wheel of a car.

Scary. I mean it. I feel like drunk driving is one of those things you learn you're not supposed to do far before you have your license. All of us have probably driven "on the edge," but blatent drunk driving is like giving, well, giving a drunk person a huge 3,600 pound weapon. Not good.

Why bring this all up now? Well for the first time ever, I drove through a sobriety checkpoint in Boston. I was damn happy to do so, too. After all, it was 1:30 AM on Friday night (slash early Saturday morning), prime time to head home. We even saw one girl who tried to turn around to avoid the checkpoint getting her car towed and probably in a lot of trouble.

It's the holiday season, we'll all be getting a little merry... but don't drink and drive. It's stupid, dangerous, and you will get caught. There's plenty of ways to get home without getting behind the wheel of a car, or you can just couch surf for an evening.

Oh, and yes, I did drink that night, but only a glass of wine and a beer.... four hours prior to when I was driving.

A sobriety checkpoint in Connecticut

Related Posts: Apple Picking & Wine Tasting; Voting experience on Nov 4; Boston Bike Sharing; Unexpected Volunteering

Photo of sign from McBlog97, and of the CT sobriety checkpoint from versageek.