Happy Birthday, Food Not Bombs

Give peace—and free vegetarian food—a chance: The Denver chapter of Food Not Bombs is celebrating the organization’s 30th anniversary tomorrow at The Other Side Arts (1644 Platte St., 303-561-3000). FNB volunteer Alex Dismore says it’ll be a “feast for the senses,” with art and live music from local acts Paper Bird, Paper Bear, and Princess Music, as well as food and drinks.

With chapters all over the world, FNB’s mission is to spread its anti-war, pro-food message through the public distribution of free meals. “Each chapter collects unwanted food that would otherwise be thrown away, and cooks vegan or vegetarian meals and serves them in public places,” Dismore says. “The idea is to keep overhead low and operate with all-volunteer labor and almost no budget, and serve in a place that everyone can access.”

Dismore says the Denver chapter collects about-to-expire food from local grocery stores, and the FNB crew even uses a vegetable oil-powered truck to pick up and transport the goods (though it’s currently in need of repairs).

Saturday’s birthday party starts at 7 p.m. and has a pay-what-you-can cover charge. Even if you can’t make it tomorrow night, don’t fret—Food Not Bombs serves up free food twice a week: 4 p.m. Wednesdays at Civic Center Park and 4 p.m. Saturdays at Sunken Gardens Park.