A tent encampment exists at 3020 Gordon Avenue in Coquitlam, adjacent to a shelter facility at 3030 Gordon. Recently, a Food Not Bombs group, led by local activist Ben Perry, began providing meals to the unhoused population at the encampment. Food Not Bombs is an international movement that rescues surplus food and shares vegan and vegetarian meals with the hungry while advocating for peaceful social change.

Ben founded the local Food Not Bombs chapter after connecting with a representative from the Vancouver group at a climate action event and collaborating with the ‘TriCities for Palestine’ organization, which also feeds people while promoting social justice. At the same time, Ben observed polarized social media discussions about homelessness. “People are saying we need to take care of the homeless, versus we need to move them along and not have them here,” he noted.

Ben has spoken with residents at 3020 Gordon Avenue, some of whom attended the same high school he did. He shared that many unhoused locals cannot access the overcrowded shelter at 3030 Gordon. Residents have opened up to him about their struggles with trauma, abuse, family issues, illiteracy, and joblessness. He believes facilities like 3030 Gordon address only a portion of the larger problem.

While Trinity United Church’s cold weather shelter program starts on December 1st, Ben says many people will still be left out in the cold. “When we’re feeding people, some of them don’t even want to leave their tents to walk 20 yards to get a sandwich because they don’t want to leave their possessions unattended,” he explained.

Food Not Bombs sources food that would otherwise go to waste from retail and wholesale suppliers. Their meals focus on plant-based options like hummus and roasted vegetable wraps and homemade soups. “We get a lot of gratitude and appreciation. People want healthy food,” Ben shared.

With more volunteers and leadership, Ben hopes the group can expand its efforts and provide meals weekly.