Since 2015, a group of community organizations and members have started a face-to-face crowdfunding process. This process occurs over a small meal so that we can exchange information about shared problems, common obstacles and ways to overcome them. So far, we have had eight events between May 2015 and November 2019 where we raised over $14,000 to support social justice projects demonstrating direct democracy and accountability. We define social justice as equal access to all resources and services. More information about the FEAST and the awardees can be found at our web page, http://www.urbandemoracyfeast.org/
The goal of the organizers is to generate funds that kick start projects that might otherwise not get funded or help them make a qualitative leap in their work. Such projects submit an application, and four applicants are selected to make a five-minute presentation at the supper. Their presentations will exhibit evidence that they are addressing a shared need, with the support of other groups in the neighborhood, that the project demonstrates direct democracy, and work on changing a specific public policy.
The next FEAST will be held 28 March 2020 at the Eastside Neighborhood Association,1301 E. Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048. The theme of this FEAST is Democratizing Kalamazoo.
Applications in English and Spanish are available at the FEAST website (www.urbandemocracyfeast.org), and hard copy versions are available at the Arcus Social Justice Center, Eastside Neighborhood Association, Eastwood Library Branch, El Concilio, People’s Food Co-op (PFC), Powell Street Library Branch, Vine Neighborhood Association, International Profyle, Fresh N Clean, Goodwin’s Gentleman Services, and the Washington Square Library Branch. Completed applications need to be returned to the PFC or where they were acquired by Friday, 6 March 2020.
We welcome projects identifying the public policies that prevent social justice and direct democracy, and that also propose replacement policies, which can be implemented here. Some examples of projects we look forward to considering, include: needs assessments in neighborhoods where impoverishment is geographically concentrated; projects about affordable housing, and an elected land trust to stop gentrification; alternative currency, time bank, and non-profit financial institution; urban farms that sell to local restaurants; worker-owned co-operatives; independent community media; and/or scholarship requests to study abroad and return to implement the research results in Kalamazoo (see http://www.urbandemocracyfeast.org/social-justice-community-projects-sought-for-funding/ )
