WAVELAND, Miss.—One of the great ironies in the landscape of Katrina recovery efforts is the success of the New Waveland Café. It is, in fact, a soup kitchen, and for parts of the last eight weeks, it has served as many as 4,000 meals a day. It is still doling out 1,500 to 2,000 meals a day.
It is remarkable as much in its atmosphere as in its volume. Imagine being asked, after standing in line for dinner at a relief center, having lost your home: “Would you like walnut vinaigrette with your salad?”
This is the world of the Rainbow Family, and friends. The Rainbow people are the latest generation of hippies, and to hear them describe their set-up -- which can’t be described as a structure -- you might not predict efficiency.
“Our group is non-political, non-religious, non-organization or hierarchical,” says (non) spokesman Aaron Funk. “We make decisions as a group in a council through a consensus process. There are no official leaders. We all represent the circle at any time.”
Aaron Funk, part of the international, loosely-linked Rainbow Family, describes what his group is doing to help in Waveland, Miss.
There are tie-dyed T-shirts and dogs with bandanas. There are bands playing every few days. It doesn’t feel like the prime spot for hurricane relief.
And yet, local people line up here, day after day, and will tell you that it is certainly one of, if not the best, meal in town. There’s grilled pork, curried veggies and Basmati rice; most of the foods are organic. It works, and what is amazing about that is this: They’ve never done this before.
Top-notch meals
According to Funk, the alternative groups, linked through the Internet and through spiritual-social gatherings like the annual Burning Man festival in Nevada and the worldwide mass peace meditation that the Rainbow Family stages every July 4, ended up producing this effort. Funk lived in Berkeley, Calif., and was in contact with Colvis Siemon, who works at Organic Valley, of Viroqua, Wis. The two of them were in the initial group of about 10 people who arrived at the scene of the disaster about 10 days after Katrina hit. Organic Valley donated kitchen equipment, and later, a steady supply of food.
“It took us three or four days to realize we had to get here,” he says. But getting into the disaster zone was complicated, and took several more days. “Unfortunately, it was very confusing, and I don’t think anyone knew what to do,” says Funk. They had a mobile kitchen with capacity to feed 5,000 a day, but they got caught in a web of approvals, as one department handed off to another for a decision. “We end up calling 20 different numbers and nobody had an answer, so we showed up.”
They met up with another group, one of the first on the ground here, Bastrop Christian Outreach Center (BCOC), based in Bastrop, Texas. It was a match made in heaven, and hardship. Bastrop soon handed over the meal service function to Rainbow, and began focusing on distribution of groceries and other necessities.
Resources continue to materialize, like a massive geodesic tent from Burning Man, which is used for the main meal site. At the same time, Rainbow people hooked up with all the people they needed. Organic Valley proves a semi-truck full of food every week, and other contributors like Sanderson Farms also send in goods.
Although several government organizations tried to shut down the operation in the early days, the relationship with the government agencies has been smoothed over.
“We now have placed a food order and received a shipment from the Emergency Operations Center,” says Siemon.
Anyone and everyone
As far as this group is concerned, anybody who has anything to offer the people suffering from Katrina is a potential partner.
“We’re working with any and all groups who come through here," says Funk. “We’re working Christian, non-Christian, FEMA, the National Guard … anyone and everyone.”
Meals are the basic service. But there is also first aid for those who need it, and a children’s art space, which sometimes also has psychiatric counselors. And going well above and beyond the call of duty, Rainbow people are offering courses that didn’t exist here, even before Katrina—salsa, waltz and tango.
Meantime, if that geodesic tent that houses the New Waveland Café looks familiar, it’s because it is used at Burning Man. Some of the producers of that event are here in the background.
But try to get any background on the Rainbow Family and the links that bind them together, and run up against a wall. Who are the members, and how many are there? All they know, says Funk, is that it every year, on July 4, people come out to join meditation gatherings in groups of 8,000 to 20,000. How many people are in the worldwide movement?
“No idea,” says Funk. ”It’s international, and its non-organization. It’s a friend-of-a-friend’s network."
Why it all came together to work at the New Waveland Café is equally mysterious. “There’s a huge amount of magic, and help,” says Siemon. “I don’t know how it worked.”
For teachers, heavy demands in hard times
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How refreshing to read of a philanthropic endeavor's success, especially when the present climate would have us believe you have to belong to an "organization" to be of any worth. This group of humanity shows us that we can all be contributors to the common good by simply following our hearts or our sense of reason. The "moral compass" that comes from within is the one that should be your guide.
Sandra, Lafayette, La. (Sent Nov 4, 2005 5:56:24 AM)
How proud I am to know somebody that has enough heart to go there and make a differance in those peoples lives. I wish I could have done the same.
broyles,april, Greensboro, nc (Sent Nov 4, 2005 7:18:56 PM)
I had the privilege of serving beside these folks at the New Waveland Cafe for one week, along with our team of 13 from several United Methodist churches in northern Kentucky. I realize the Rainbow people describe themselves as non-religious, but they (and the other volunteers from all over the US) are among the best examples I've seen of living out Matthew 25:35-36 -- "for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." The Church of today stands to learn a lot from people like these, if it will only open its eyes and hearts, get out of its dad-gum pews and JUST DO IT.
Mr. Siemon, I'm confident that God is personally on-hand in Waveland, and is blessing the efforts of everyone serving, especially the Rainbow people. That's largely how it's happening.
The gang from Bastrop, including Pete and Faye, are to be praised for helping to get this distribution center running, and offering their leadership. May God continue to bless everyone's efforts for those on the Gulf Coast.
Barry L. Holland, Florence KY (Sent Nov 4, 2005 10:04:16 PM)
Thanks Rainbow. . . .. . May all the blessing of the Universe be with you all. . . . .
CJ Lozano, Waveland, MS (Sent Nov 5, 2005 1:11:16 PM)
I'm leaving for Louisiana on Nov. 15. I want to help and join you guys. I used to live in New Orleans and can be very helpful. Where are you physically located. I am driving from California. Please let me know how to find you.
zcatcreative@aol.com 310 774-6696 (cell) Thanks John
John Nevo (Sent Nov 7, 2005 11:13:37 AM)
I have just returned from two weeks of serving as a volunteer at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Wavekand MS and Long Beach MS. Your photos are fine, but it is not possible to appreciate the extent of the devastation until you can actually see it.
The people of Waveland and the Mississippi gulf coast are magnificent. Their courage and good will in the face of such incredible loss is astounding. I was incredibly impressed with the compassion and work of the FEMA staff and related agencies including HUD, USDA, and the Small Business Administration.
It was truly an honor to have served in the area. Please continue to support these people - they have a long road to travel to recovery.
Elizabeth Arnett
Elizabeth Arnett, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Nov 7, 2005 6:01:03 PM)
All who are fans and supporters of the New Waveland Cafe, my mom checked on them yesterday, while delivering turkeys she had collected for them for Thanksgiving meal. The guy she met told her they will be closing down after Thanksgiving, that the county officials have told them they need to shut down in order to not cause local businesses problems. Sure would like to hear from any of you county officials out there - or any locals - if there is any way we can support these folks staying on if they wish? If not - I'm going to suggest that my mom hook them up with Randy's Rangers - a very similar un-organization that is serving as a point of distribution over on 2nd and Menge in Pass Christian - I imagine those folks would appreciate the "New Pass Christian Cafe" if the good folks of Waveland don't need their help anymore.
Regards
Sonja Burt - who has a life-long love affair with all things coastal - even while in the mountains of Virginia
Sonja Burt, Charlottesville, VA (Sent Nov 8, 2005 7:34:49 AM)
I just got back from the New Waveland Cafe (Nov. 12, 2005), where I contributed a bit, from washing pots and pans to stirring up some mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuits to grating zucchini for zucchini fritters. I also checked folks in and served them from huge containers. I went to see my son, who has been attending Rainbow gatherings for a few years now. My point was to see him and see for myself what he was telling me about this particular place and what he has been telling me about Rainbow.
I went as an anthropologist with only 1/2 of the discipline in mind - observation. But I ended up in a field study with the other 1/2 of the discipline - participation. There are very young people in Rainbow who know more than I do in the kitchen and I've been working in my own kitchen since I was 19 and I'm 61. What an eye-opener in their dedication, knowledge, skills and abilities and the best - their kindness. If a Rainbow Gathering comes to you, check it out and participate. It will be the best think you've ever done, I'm sure. Thanks, specially, to Jessica who taught me much.
Carmen Fasheh, Lynnfield, MA (Sent Nov 13, 2005 2:57:41 PM)
we are leaving after thanksgiving for many reasons but first and foremost is that this is a date that we gave to the county and not the other way around.
the rumor that we are being kicked out was spread by one disgruntled person who was not even a part of the cafe. (aahh the power and danger of rumers.)
although the cafe will not be here there will still be other resources available to the people of waveland and hancock co food pantries being one example.
Gene Bernache, Mattapoisett Ma (Sent Nov 15, 2005 5:10:59 PM)
A couple years ago I attended a National Rainbow Gathering. I was curious after hearing magical stories of how they operate in rustic conditions and I wanted to see first hand the form of consenses government I heard that they employ, since they have no leaders. I consider myself a "straight" from the "real" world but what I saw there in terms of love and respect for each other and the EARTH amazed me.To get a deeper picture of the unorganization when I returned home I got a book called, " People of the Rainbow: A Nomadic Utopia" by Michael Niman. He gives a realistic view of the unorganization and the learnings they have achieved in 30 years of Gatherings. There is both wisdom and heart in this unorganization with no preachy hidden agenda. If you want to more about what they have to share with the world in these times ahead check out the book and others.
Also a huge recognition should go to all the corporations that supported these efforts. I wish someone would begin to list them. I for one received immediate attention and samples to give away from Alacer, The company that makes Emergen-C packets to mix with water. Ray-O-Vac sent batteries and of course Organic Valley. I wish I knew more. Great going American commerce with heart.
mary, spring green, wi (Sent Nov 16, 2005 2:55:30 PM)
Will the Waveland Cafe be serving Thanksgiving Dinner (a form of)?
Ann Rowe, Tallahassee, FL (Sent Nov 17, 2005 5:27:10 PM)
you go guys!!!!!!!!
justmark and erin (Sent Nov 18, 2005 4:54:17 PM)
I love you guys!
~*KaTie*~ (Sent Nov 18, 2005 7:18:23 PM)
Credit should also go to the Youth Initiative High School, a Waldorf high school in Viroqua, Wisconsin (http://www.yihs.net/) Clovis is a grad of that school and from the very early days, groups of parents, students and community members traveled to Waveland to set this up. Many of the families from YIHS are associated with Organic Valley and the mobile kitchen is also family-connected.
Cathy Van Maren, La Crosse, WI (Sent Dec 2, 2005 12:12:58 PM)
When you have lost all faith in humanity people go and do something like this. The government has its arms tied behind its back and its eyes blindfolded. This is a step in the right direction on the part of social, and human evolution. You are appreciated more than you know..
PONYBOY Oakland, Ca. (Sent Sep 8, 2006 3:16:02 PM)
The Rainbow Family Gathered in Colorado this last July.
To camp in the wilderness of the National Foresst and leave the place cleaner than we found it as in years past. This year the Family was blocked from the Gathering by Forest Rangers with rifles.
Fema might be more disorganised than the Rainbow Dis-organization, but the US Forest Service was much more organised with a massive encampment, horses, and a disinformation group. They primed the locals saying we were comming to their small town to rape and Pilage. We here this every year. But upon leaving the locals are finnaly turned around to the truth about this generous family.
Love You All.
Just Tom providor of Rainbow HOT SHOWERS!
Just Tom San Francisco, California (Sent Oct 12, 2006 6:35:30 PM)
Great collection of posts and thanks for recognizing the ethics issue. We are starting the discussion on what, if any, standards should be developed. Please weigh in.
Danie, Seattle, Washington (Sent Nov 17, 2006 8:29:29 AM)
What a great story and great posts! So much positive vibes! I went to Steamboat in 2006 and it forever changed me! I was just researching the rainbow family online, and found some interesting info; that is, the negative impact of the rainbows, which the Forest Service, Feds, and local authorities were primarily focused on; i.e. hygiene, sanitation, disease, safety measures, permits, insurance, environmental impact, panhandling, health care costs, the straining of local resources, etc. These are a legitimate concern, but I think they're missing the point. I notice that, a few days into the gathering, the forest service was beginning to lighten up and have a great time. It's contagious!!
Neb, North Dakota (Sent Aug 3, 2007 3:46:09 PM)
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