Words: Shira McDermott
Not So Fast is a newly launched initiative by a diverse group of Vancouverites aimed at changing the way we view our personal consumption. Our goal is to give everyday people a simple tool and a way of thinking that can make positive change to those less fortunate in their community, and in our collective communities as a whole.
Sound awesome? It is!
Our powerful mission is simple: "To feed people by fasting and giving what we would have consumed to those who have less". We see a world where folks who have enough (a rather good chunk of us) can live with less so others can have more.
Here's how it works:
1. Go without something for a day, a week, or forever (bad habit to kick?)
2. Add up the value of what you didn't use/consume
3. Feed People (let us do that)
By modernizing the ancient concept of fasting, our team at Not So Fast is encouraging people to give up an everyday luxury (like a food item or their car) or something even more challenging like a full day without food to see what hunger really feels like. In a world where too many people go hungry everyday and food gets wasted by the truckload, Not So Fast is fuelled by the belief that Food For All is a basic human right, and it's time for people with means to take matters into their own hands. We want to spread the love, and do so in a fun, creative, and inclusive way!
So just how does Not So Fast feed people? Through key partnerships with organizations in the DTES, our team of volunteers provides free cooking classes for kids and families, while also providing accessible ingredients and recipes for those in need to cook a healthy meal. We see cooking as a basic life skill and our aim is to empower and teach confidence by building skills with healthy, accessible, delicious, and affordable affordable food. The funds for all ingredients are made possible by volunteers and donors (like you) who choose to live on less and make a difference by challenging themselves to go without for the good of others. Want to join us?
Learn about all of our initiatives here at our website and spread the word. Our world is only as good as we make it!
Website: wearenotsofast.org
Instagram: instagram.com/wearenotsofast
Twitter: twitter.com/wearenotsofast
