The Organic Soup Kitchen

Organic Soup Kitchen's New Blog Site

2011-12-10T14:00:00.001-08:00

We have moved our blog to:

http://organicsoupkitchen.wordpress.com/

Please click the link above to find more about our future blog posts.

OSK's Thanksgiving Meals Goes Off Without A Hitch

2011-11-26T20:39:00.001-08:00

Organic Soup Kitchen's third annual Thanksgiving feast was a huge success, thanks to all the volunteers, our sponsors, our donors and The Veteran's Memorial Building. We could not have done it without the support from the Santa Barbara Community. This year by serving the community, we not only served those that walked through our doors, but also The County of Santa Barbara, The Santa Barbara Housing Authority, Housebound Elders, and Alzheimer's Patients. We are grateful to those that picked up the dinners for all those that were housebound, who got a wholesome, nutrient dense meal for Thanksgiving.
Many thanks to our volunteers who served and brought organic desserts for the meal. Many thanks to the musicians that played, and a huge thank you to our kitchen volunteers who had made this event possible.

Thank you for your support and all the donations that made this Thanksgiving event possible.

In gratitude,

~Drea Slaby~
Administrative Director of Organic Soup Kitchen

Organic Soup Kitchen's Third Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-21T22:11:00.000-08:00

Turkey day is just around the corner and here we are preparing a feast to feed not just 1000 people but 1500 people this year. The numbers have increased and even the local shelters have cancelled their Thanksgiving meal due to Organic Soup Kitchen's Annual feast. WOW! So we are in for a huge turn out this year, and are very grateful to all the donors, sponsors and local businesses that have pitched in to make this Thanksgiving meal an amazing time.

How are you spending your Thanksgiving?

Come volunteer and be apart of the festivities

http://www.organicsoupkitchen.org/

Looking for a place to spend this Thanksgiving, join us and be apart of the community.

In Gratitude,

Drea Slaby

Whats behind the Organic reason of the Organic Soup Kitchen

2010-10-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

The article concluded that a predominantly organic diet:

- reduces the amount of toxic chemicals ingested;

- totally avoids GMOs [genetically modified organisms];

- reduces the amount of food additives and colourings;

- increases the amount of beneficial vitamins, minerals, EFAs [essential fatty acids] and antioxidants consumed;

- appears to have the potential to lower the incidence of common conditions such as cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies and hyperactivity in children.

1) PESTICIDES

The routine use of synthetic pesticides is not allowed under organic standards. Currently, over 400 chemicals can be regularly used in conventional farming to kill weeds, insects and other pests that attack crops. For example, Cox's apples can be sprayed up to 16 times with 36 different pesticides. 7 Only four chemicals are allowed in restricted circumstances under Soil Association standards.

"Organic food contains fewer residues of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticides" (Sir John Krebs, Chair, Food Standards Agency, Cheltenham Science Festival debate, 5th June 2003).

"Consumers who wish to minimise their dietary pesticide exposure can do so with confidence by buying organically grown food" (Baker et al 2002).

Organophosphates

The most dangerous chemicals used in farming such as organophosphates [pesticides] have been linked with a range of conditions such as cancer, decreasing male fertility, foetal abnormalities, chronic fatigue syndrome in children and Parkinson's disease. 8,9 Pesticide residues have been ranked among the top three environmental cancer risks by the American Government. 10

Pesticide residues in food

In recent years, UK Government research has consistently found pesticide residues in a third of food, including residues of more than one chemical in apples, baby food, bread, cereal bars, fresh salmon, lemons, lettuces, peaches, nectarines, potatoes and strawberries. 11 Not all foodstuffs are checked; instead a small number of different products is tested every 3 months and the results published by the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD).

Residues of multiple pesticides: the cocktail effect

After pressure from NGOs [non-governmental organisations] such as the Soil Association, the PSD has begun testing for multiple pesticide residues in its samples because evidence suggests that when acting in combination, harmful effects of pesticide residues may be increased. The Government has recognised that "ignoring the cocktail effects during risk assessment will lead to significant under-estimations of risk".12

Combinations of low-level insecticides, herbicides and nitrates have been shown to be toxic at levels that individual chemicals are not.13 - 16 It is clearly an enormous task to test all possible combinations of the 400 permitted pesticides currently in use. It is clear that not enough is known about how combinations of pesticides affect our health, and the Government's Committee on Toxicity has expressed disquiet about the risks involved.17

Pesticides and cancer

Women with breast cancer are five to nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their blood than those who do not.18 Previous studies have shown that those with occupational exposure to pesticides have higher rates of cancer.19 - 21 The apparent link between hormone dependent cancers, such as those of the breast and prostate, may be via endocrine disrupting chemicals [compounds that artificially affect the hormone system] such as 2,4D and Atrazine (both herbicides, now banned or about to be banned). The Royal Society [the UK's main scientific organisation] recommends that human exposure to EDCs (especially during pregnancy) should be minimised on grounds of prudence.63

Effects of pesticides on children

Children may be particularly susceptible to pesticide residues as they have a higher intake of food and water per unit of body weight than adults and their relatively immature organ systems may have limited ability to detoxify these substances.22

In a study of children aged 2 -4 living in Seattle, concentrations of pesticide residues up to six times higher were found in children eating conventionally farmed fruit and vegetables compared with those eating organic food.23 Whilst the presence of pesticide residues in children eating conventional food has been confirmed, the full effect of such pesticides are unknown.

2) FOOD ADDITIVES

Food colourings and additives can cause a range of health problems in adults and children. For example, tartrazine (the yellow food colouring E102) and other additives have been linked to allergic reactions, headaches, asthma, growth retardation and hyperactivity in children.24 - 27

Although around 300 additives are permitted in conventional food only 30 are allowed under Soil Association standards. Some additives found in organic food are added for legal reasons including iron, thiamine (vitamin B) and nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) in white flour, and various vitamins and minerals in different types of baby foods. All artificial colourings and artificial sweeteners are banned in organic food.

Specific ingredients and additives not allowed in organic food are monosodium glutamate, aspartame, phosphoric acid and hydrogenated fats. In each case their use has been banned because of evidence that they can be damaging to health. For example, hydrogenated fats (also known as trans fats) have been directly linked with increased rates of heart disease, cancer and skin disease. 28,29,30,31 The FSA [Food Standards Agency] acknowledges that they have no known nutritional benefits and increase the risk of coronary heart disease. The FSA website advises that people should try to cut down their consumption of hydrogenated fat. 32

3) GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Genetically modified organisms are banned from organic food.

The potential health effects of GM foods are unknown. Michael Meacher the former Minister for the Environment recently stated that "We have had no systematic clinical or biochemical trials of the effects on human beings of eating GM food".

A paper in Nutrition and Health 33 supports Mr Meacher's position. The authors state that there have only been ten published studies of the health effects of GM food and that the quality of some of these was inadequate. Over half were done in collaboration with companies (fully or partially), and these found no negative effects on body organs. The others were done independently and looked more closely at the effects on the gut lining; in several, evidence of harmful effects were found which remain unexplained. 33

Similar effects on the gut lining were found in an unpublished animal feeding study on a GM tomato. In addition, a study by Newcastle University sponsored by the FSA found that the transgenes [genetically modified organisms] transfer into gut bacteria at detectable levels after only one GM meal. The health effects of these transgenes are unknown and until they have been properly tested people are, in our opinion, wise to avoid eating GM food.

4) ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS

UK and US government statistics indicate that levels of trace minerals in fruit and vegetables fell by up to 76% between 1940 and 1991. 34,35 In contrast there is growing evidence that organic fruit and vegetables generally contain more nutrients than non-organic food.

The Soil Association conducted a systematic review of the evidence comparing the vitamin and mineral content of organic and conventionally grown food. It was found that, on average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium. 36

An independent review of the evidence found that organic crops had significantly higher levels of all 21 nutrients analysed compared with conventional produce including vitamin C (27% more), magnesium (29% more), iron (21% more) and phosphorous (14% more). Organic spinach, lettuce, cabbage and potatoes showed particularly high levels of minerals. 37

5) ANTIOXIDANTS

A high antioxidant intake has been shown to be associated with a reduced incidence of coronary heart disease and some cancers. Such antioxidants include certain vitamins (vitamin E and beta-carotene) and substances known as phenolics. Researchers have recognised the growing concern that levels of some phenolics may be lower than is optimal for human health in conventionally grown foods. 38Phenolics are generated by a plant when attacked by pests.

Generally, organic crops are not protected by pesticides and research has shown that organically produced fruit contains higher levels of phenolic compounds than conventionally grown fruit. 38,39 Danish researchers have found that organic crops contain 10% to 50% more antioxidants than conventional crops. 40

6) ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

The essential fatty acids (EFA), omega 3 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) play an essential role in metabolism [chemical changes which take place in our bodies to utilise food and eliminate waste materials] and especially in the prevention of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure 41,42,43. Omega 3s also reduce the risk of neurological disorders including depression 44,45,46 and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children 47,48,49,50, 51,52. Furthermore, CLA has been demonstrated to help prevent cancer and degenerative changes in the walls of the arteries 53,54 enhance growth promotion and reduce body fat 54, 55, 56.

Forage based diets [a diet based on fresh or dried food as opposed to processed feed] form the basis of organic livestock production systems and have the potential to decrease saturated fat concentrations and to increase the concentrations of omega-3 57, 58 and CLA 59,50,61 in beef. Milk taken from animals fed on a forage-based diet also display improved levels of EFAs, including CLA and omega 3. 61, 62

7) ALLERGIES

In a study of Swedish children, the prevalence of atopic disorders [allergies] from two different groups of children was measured. The study compared 295 children aged 5 - 13 years from two anthroposophic schools [schools with an alternative approach to education] with 380 children from two neighbouring state schools. The anthroposophical school children ate a predominantly organic diet, used antibiotics restrictively, had few vaccinations and their diet usually contained live lactobacilli [a friendly bacteria found in the upper intestinal tract of humans and in some yoghurts and in unpasteurised milk]. It was found that the anthroposophic way of life is associated with a lowered prevalence of atopy in children. 4

The reduced incidence of atopic disorders is likely to be the result of a combination of lifestyle differences between the two groups of children so that the contribution of organic food consumption is unclear. However, consumption of organic food is the single most common factor unifying the anthroposophic children.

8) FERTILITY

A steady deterioration in male reproductive health has been reported throughout Europe. Sperm concentrations have declined and abnormalities in sperm development have been recorded.

Danish research compared the sperm density of members of an organic farming association (OFA) with that of three different occupational groups and found that that the former had significantly higher sperm counts 2. This research was corroborated in 1996 when members of another Danish OFA were compared with a control group of 797 healthy men. It was found that "sperm concentration was higher among men eating organically produced food" 3.

"A biological plausible hypothesis has suggested that man-made chemicals act as endocrine disrupters (EDC) resulting in altered development of the reproductive tract causing the observed effects"5. A number of pesticides regularly used in conventional agriculture are known to be EDCs. Therefore, if an individual's diet does not contain pesticide residues, it can be hypothesised that the above abnormalities of sperm would be less likely.

9) POSITION OF THE FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY AND THE GOVERNMENT

The Food Standards Agency responded to the Soil Association's report "Organic farming, food quality and human health' (2001) by stating that:

On the basis of current evidence, the Agency's assessment is that organic food is not significantly different in terms of food safety and nutrition from food produced conventionally. 1

The Government has taken a more open-minded view. At a meeting between members of the Government's Organic Action Plan and the FSA, the then Organic Farming Minister, Elliot Morley, suggested to the FSA that:

"while the FSA is clear that all conventionally produced food is safe, the FSA could also recognise that some consumers want less pesticide residues, less use of veterinary medicines, no routine use of antibiotics, and no use of GM ingredients, and that in all these areas organic food delivers what the consumers want."

At that time, Sir John Krebs the Chair of the FSA, was unwilling to change its stance on organic food. However, in recent months Sir John has endorsed one of the organic sector's findings, namely that organic food contains less pesticide residues.

"Organic food contains fewer residues of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticides" (Sir John Krebs, Cheltenham Science Festival debate, 5th June 2003).

What Organic Soup Kitchen Serves...

2010-07-25T23:26:00.001-07:00

I'm a volunteer with Organic Soup Kitchen. For those of you that haven't had the chance to come out on Sunday morning and see it for yourself, I'll tell you what they're serving: dignity. They're giving people on the street the opportunity to feel dignified, and dignity is more important than money.

Whole Foods - Santa Barbara 5:30 Tonight. See you there!

2010-05-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Our very own Chef Anthony is in the final round of the Santa Barbara Indpendent's BBQ Cookoff. Go, Chef, Go! Go cheer him on in this tough field of talented competitors.

All 16 cooking nominees will dish up their recipes at our round of judging on Thursday, May 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Whole Foods, 3761 State Street. Everyone’s invited to see the judging panel of John Jurey from Whole Foods, Elizabeth Poett from Rancho San Julian Beef, Julie Ramos from KTYD, and me, under the guidance of emcee Restaurant Guy John Dickson, declare who’s got the best BBQ goods in town.

So without further adieu, the finalists in the professional entrée category are wild salmon with Italian caviar by Anthony Carroccio of the Organic Soup Kitchen; grilled filet mignon with corn-cilantro slaw and mole butter sauce by caterer Danny Douglas; Creole sugar-rum-rubbed short ribs by caterer Edie Robertson; and ribs and sauce by James Sly of Sly’s. For the professional side dish category, the finalists are Yukon Gold potato salad with Greek olives, radishes, Sriracha, and scallions by Douglas; bacon-cheddar grits by Aaron Robertson of Union Ale Brewing Company; and grilled asparagus with vodka Meyer lemon dressing by Edie Robertson.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tips

2010-04-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tips

Courtesy of

Dr Weil

It is becoming increasingly clear that a host of illnesses - including heart disease, many cancers and Alzheimer's disease - are influenced in large part by chronic inflammation. This is a process in which the immune system becomes off balance, and persists unnecessarily in its efforts to repair the body and repel pathogens. The prolonged process results in damage to healthy tissue as well. Stress, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and other lifestyle factors can all promote inflammation, but poor diet is perhaps the main contributor, and the ideal place to begin addressing inflammation.

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is not a diet in the popular sense - it is not intended as a weight-loss program (although people can and do lose weight on it), nor is it an eating plan to stay on for a limited period of time. Rather, it is way of selecting and preparing foods based on scientific knowledge of how they can help your body remain optimally healthy. Along with influencing inflammation, this diet will provide steady energy and ample vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber.

You can also adapt your existing recipes according to these anti-inflammatory diet princip

Diet Tips:

Aim for variety.
Include as much fresh food as possible.
Minimize your consumption of processed foods and fast food.
Eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables.

Caloric Intake

Most adults need to consume between 2,000 and 3,000 calories a day.
Women and smaller and less active people need fewer calories.
Men and bigger and more active people need more calories.
If you are eating the appropriate number of calories for your level of activity, your weight should not fluctuate greatly.
The distribution of calories you take in should be as follows: 40 to 50 percent from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fat, and 20 to 30 percent from protein.
Try to include carbohydrates, fat, and protein at each meal.

Carbohydrates

On a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, adult women should consume between 160 to 200 grams of carbohydrates a day.
Adult men should consume between 240 to 300 grams of carbohydrates a day.
The majority of this should be in the form of less-refined, less-processed foods with a low glycemic load.
Reduce your consumption of foods made with wheat flour and sugar, especially bread and most packaged snack foods (including chips and pretzels).
Eat more whole grains such as brown rice and bulgur wheat, in which the grain is intact or in a few large pieces. These are preferable to whole wheat flour products, which have roughly the same glycemic index as white flour products.
Eat more beans, winter squashes, and sweet potatoes.
Cook pasta al dente and eat it in moderation.
Avoid products made with high fructose corn syrup.

Fat

On a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, 600 calories can come from fat - that is, about 67 grams. This should be in a ratio of 1:2:1 of saturated to monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fat.
Reduce your intake of saturated fat by eating less butter, cream, cheese and other full-fat dairy products; unskinned chicken and fatty meats; and products made with coconut and palm kernel oils.
Use extra-virgin olive oil as a main cooking oil. If you want a neutral tasting oil, use expeller-pressed, organic canola oil. High-oleic versions of sunflower and safflower oil are acceptable also, preferably non-GMO (genetically modified).
Avoid regular safflower and sunflower oils, corn oil, cottonseed oil, and mixed vegetable oils.
Strictly avoid margarine, vegetable shortening, and all products listing them as ingredients. Strictly avoid all products made with partially hydrogenated oils of any kind. Include in your diet avocados and nuts, especially walnuts, cashews, almonds, and nut butters made from these nuts.
For omega-3 fatty acids, eat salmon (preferably fresh or frozen wild or canned sockeye), sardines packed in water or olive oil, herring, and black cod (sablefish, butterfish); omega-3 fortified eggs; hemp seeds and flaxseeds (preferably freshly ground); or take a fish oil supplement (see below).

Protein

On a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet your daily intake of protein should be between 80 and 120 grams. Eat less protein if you have liver or kidney problems, allergies, or autoimmune disease.
Decrease your consumption of animal protein except for fish and reduced-fat dairy products.
Eat more vegetable protein, especially from beans in general and soybeans in particular. Become familiar with the range of soy foods available and find ones you like.

Fiber

Try to eat 40 grams of fiber a day. You can achieve this by increasing your consumption of fruit, especially berries, vegetables (especially beans), and whole grains.
Ready-made cereals can be good fiber sources, but read labels to make sure they give you at least 4 and preferably 5 grams of bran per one-ounce serving.

Phytonutrients

To get maximum natural protection against age-related diseases (including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease) as well as against environmental toxicity, eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and mushrooms.
Choose fruits and vegetables from all parts of the color spectrum, especially berries, tomatoes, orange and yellow fruits, and dark leafy greens.
Choose organic produce whenever possible. Learn which conventionally grown crops are most likely to carry pesticide residues and avoid them.
Eat cruciferous (cabbage-family) vegetables regularly.
Include soy foods in your diet.
Drink tea instead of coffee, especially good quality white, green or oolong tea.
If you drink alcohol, use red wine preferentially.
Enjoy plain dark chocolate in moderation (with a minimum cocoa content of 70 percent).

Vitamins and Minerals

The best way to obtain all of your daily vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients is by eating a diet high in fresh foods with an abundance of fruits and vegetables. In addition, supplement your diet with the following antioxidant cocktail:

Vitamin C, 200 milligrams a day.
Vitamin E, 400 IU of natural mixed tocopherols (d-alpha-tocopherol with other tocopherols, or, better, a minimum of 80 milligrams of natural mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols).
Selenium, 200 micrograms of an organic (yeast-bound) form.
Mixed carotenoids, 10,000-15,000 IU daily.
In addition, take daily multivitamin/multimineral supplements that provide at least 400 micrograms of folic acid and at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D. They should contain no iron and no preformed vitamin A (retinol).
Take supplemental calcium, preferably as calcium citrate. Women should supplement with 500-700 mg daily, for a total daily intake of 1,000-1,200 mg from all sources. Men should get no more than 500-600 mg daily from all sources, and probably do not need to supplement.

Other Dietary Supplements

If you are not eating oily fish at least twice a week, take supplemental fish oil, in capsule or liquid form, 1-2 grams a day. Look for molecularly distilled products certified to be free of heavy metals and other contaminants.
Talk to your doctor about going on low-dose aspirin therapy, one or two baby aspirins a day (81 or 162 milligrams).
If you are not regularly eating ginger and turmeric, consider taking these in supplemental form.
Add CoQ10 to your daily regimen: 60-100 milligrams of a softgel form taken with your largest meal.
If you are prone to metabolic syndrome, take alpha-lipoic acid, 100 to 400 milligrams a day.

Water

Try to drink 6-8 glasses of pure water a day, or drinks that are mostly water (tea, very diluted fruit juice, sparkling water with lemon).
Use bottled water or get a home water purifier if your tap water tastes of chlorine or other contaminants, or if you live in an area where the water is known or suspected to be contaminated.

Hunger in America 2010

2010-04-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Feeding America released their Hunger in America 2010 report on Monday and it shows some shocking results nationwide, but especially here in Santa Barbara.

Key findings in this report regarding Santa Barbara County

The FA system served by The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provides emergency food for an estimated 88,900 different people annually

32% of the members of households served by The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County are children under 18 years old

47% of households include at least one employed adult

Among households with children, 64% are food insecure and 22% are food insecure with very low food security

41% of clients served by The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel

32% had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care

25% of households served by The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County report having at least one household member in poor health

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County included approximately 242 agencies at the administration of this survey, of which 178 have responded to the agency survey. Of the responding agencies, 113 had at least one food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter.

As many as 89% of pantries, 92% of kitchens, and 68% of shelters in The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County use volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers, have you volunteered at the Organic Soup Kitchen yet?

Solving Hunger in America

2010-03-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

at Austin's SXSW conference? It may sound like a strange combination, but putting tech leaning minds together have brought solutions to many problems once thought daunting. Hunger just might be the next one solved.

The annual SXSW festival of music, film and interactive may be well known for its party atmosphere—they don’t call it “spring break for geeks” for nothing—but this year’s conference also set a lofty goal: to end hunger in America.

A mere glint in the eye of organizers last year, partners from across the spectrum of social entrepreneurship, non-profit organizations and tech innovators came together on Monday morning for the inaugural CauseLab. Designed as an “action tank,” WeCanEndThis.com brought in participants and leaders to spend half the day in one of two sessions addressing three fundamental angles of solving hunger in this country:
Create hunger-free communities
Humanize hunger using data
Accelerate local action and advocacy
....Facing the problem of hunger head on is intimidating. If you look at the pure numbers—49 million Americans don’t know where their next meal is coming from—it can seem insurmountable. Breaking down hunger into solvable chunks is critical, and the teams in the room struggled to answer the call of getting past awareness campaigns. We’ve been inundated with slickly produced messages telling us that even $5 makes a difference, but it’s rare that we find programs that actually reward us with tangible knowledge that we’ve made a difference—and thus inspire us to participate again in the future. - AlterNet

We hope that you will come join us on Sundays at the Veterans Memorial Building for that tangible knowledge you've made a difference.

So Much More than just a Soup Kitchen

2010-03-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

We're a connection to the community.

Making Something Happen

2010-03-14T22:16:00.001-07:00

This past Sunday, when I was volunteering, I was approached by a woman who asked for a moment of my time. She told me she was making a video about the Organic Soup Kitchen and was interested in hearing what inspired me to start volunteering with this organization.

The question threw me off, because I didn't have an answer for her. When I sat down later to think about it, I thought of lots of reasons:

I enjoy spending my free time giving back.

I enjoy being part of the community.

I'm learning new things.

I get the satisfaction of seeing hungry people in need get fed.

Counter-intuitively, the items in the list above are based on my own self-interest. This might seem a little strange, because people volunteering at a soup kitchen feeding the homeless aren't supposed to be doing so for selfish reasons. But there's no getting around it: a large part of what draws me there week after week is the mere fact that I enjoy doing it.

However, the most important reason I'm there helping each week has nothing to do with me. Here it is:

Anthony Carroccio is making something happen.

He woke up and decided just to start feeding the community. He didn't ask for permission. He didn't organize a committee and sit around discussing how to do it. He just started running. And he's still running, leading his tribe of volunteers and feeding hundreds of people each week in the process.

Anthony's hoping to spread change for the better, and the way that he's doing it is something that we all need to pay attention to: he's taking action.

I find it tough to sit by and not contribute to that kind of raw initiative. Especially when it's aimed at changing people's lives for the better.

Why Are the Streets Empty?

2010-03-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

It's early Sunday morning, around 7 a.m., and I'm combing the streets of downtown Santa Barbara looking for homeless people.

I'm on my way down to volunteer this morning at the Organic Soup Kitchen, where I'll be working in the kitchen to help them serve a fresh meal to a couple hundred people. While I'm en route, I decide that I might tell everyone I see about it, to help get the word out. At the same time, I'm hoping to amass a crowd of people to walk down there with me.

As I'm walking down the main stretch of State Street, I find that the sidewalks are oddly empty. It's too early yet for the general hustle and bustle of Sunday morning, but the homeless people you would otherwise find loitering on the street are nowhere to be found.

I approach one man sitting on a bench and extend an invitation to him. He politely tells me, "Oh, I'm not homeless, but thank you very much for the offer." Sheepishly, I bury my head and press on.

Where is everyone?

When I finally get down to the OSK, I find the answer to my question. Throngs of homeless people are standing around outside, laughing amongst themselves, and waiting patiently for eight o'clock, when the Organic Soup Kitchen opens its doors and begins serving breakfast. Word has spread fast on the streets of Santa Barbara: after only a few months since its inception, those in need of a good meal gather to meet us on Sunday mornings.

There's work to be done and fun to be had. I head into the kitchen and put on my apron.

Spencer's Musical Breakfast

2010-03-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

Who says breakfasts can't be fun?

H1N1 Clinic will be held this Sunday

2010-03-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

at the Veteran's Building. They'll be serving up vaccinations. We'll be serving up delicious breakfast.

Santa Barbara's homeless and veterans are the focus of an upcoming H1N1 clinic at the Santa Barbara Veteran's Hall, (112 W. Cabrillo Blvd.), this Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 7:30 am to 11:30 am. The clinic will take place during a regular Sunday meal for Santa Barbara's homeless provided by the Organic Soup Kitchen.

This event highlights growing partnerships among public and private agencies within the medical and healthcare community to provide care to Santa Barbara's homeless and at-risk populations. American Indian Health Services, Santa Barbara County Public Health, Doctors Without Walls-Santa Barbara Street Medicine, and the Santa Barbara County Medical Reserve Corps are sponsoring this clinic. Volunteer medical staff from Doctors Without Walls-Santa Barbara Street Medicine and the Medical Reserve Corps will be administering the vaccinations.

...Homeless and Veteran's are targeted in this outreach effort but all residents over the age of six months are welcome to receive a free H1N1 flu vaccination. For more information about other alternative sites to receive free H1N1 flu vaccinations in Santa Barbara County, please see our website at www.sbcfluinfo.org - via EdHat

Spencer (from Spencer the Gardener)

2010-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

stopped by and provided some wonderful music for those enjoying breakfast at The Organic Soup Kitchen yesterday. We have some wonderful musicians stopping by and feeding the musical soul.

Great food. Great music. Open hearts. One word..."Gobble-iscious!"

Come volunteer with us!

2010-02-27T20:47:00.000-08:00

Part of being a great volunteer is loving what you're doing. Find something that you're passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in your community. There are dozens of reasons to volunteer—you just need to find the one that feels right.

Please complete the Volunteer Sign-up Form.

Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving

2010-02-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

Giving thanks everyday.