It’s November and shit is not ok. We’re shooting down Venezuelan boats indiscriminately to “stop drug trafficking” (let’s be real- how many drugs do we think are being trafficked on those boats vs. through Mar-a-Lago 👀), the genocide in Gaza is STILL fucking happening and now millions of people across the country are without food stamps because some truly evil motherfuckers decided to slash them using the government shutdown as cover. And just in time for the holidays. It honestly makes me want to throw hands. The problem is…at what? Capitalism? Project 2025? Each and every politician who made this happen? None of that would help (but it sure would feel amazing). For this Slice, I’m going to focus on supply and food distribution efforts you can get involved in (several of which I’ve mentioned previously) but I’m going to put extra emphasis on the fact that we need to be doing something. The government has made it extremely clear that it is ok letting its people starve through the fucking holidays. This just so happens to coincide with the harshest weather of the year, when anyone living outside or in housing that doesn’t have adequate heat is in direct danger. If that doesn’t make you feel ill, I don’t know what can, honestly. I’ll touch on those opportunities later. But quick sideline for Matt updates.
All of that considered, things are good over here. I started my land use law class which is surprisingly really interesting and engaging??? While legal jargon may not be the most sexy or glamorous thing on the planet, it’s just like learning any other language. Once you familiarize yourself with the bullshit, it starts making sense. And although it’s fascinating to follow along (or reaaaaaally struggle to follow along) with the logic provided by the court on its rulings, it also just reinforces the idea that the courts have, for the vast majority of this country’s history, not been progressive or actively doing anything to promote an improvement in quality of life for folks. Property and money are (almost always) valued over the human experience. While this should not really be a surprise, seeing it so methodically enforced via the courts decade after decade really cements just how psychologically tied to property and money our entire culture is. Interesting, depressing, but also it makes me feel empowered. The legal arena has always been this giant cloud of mystery to me but this course has helped me understand just how these toxic systems of power are perpetuated through our entire political system, and ways to potentially counter them. Anyways if you wanna get real mad, read about Kelo v. City of New London. It made me get those little wavy lines above my head like they show in cartoons when someone is livid! I you can’t tell- mama is caffeinated and activated this morning. I hope you read through to some suggestions on ways we can get involved this November (and beyond).
Sunday Slice- 11/2/2025
Food Kit Distribution: Food Not Bombs (Milwaukee)
Food Not Bombs (FNB) is a nationwide mutual aid organization with local chapters in many cities across the United States. I’ve mentioned the Seattle one before (who meets in Occidental Square on Saturdays and Sundays at 5 PM for food distro- check them out!) but today I want to spotlight their Milwaukee chapter. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, FNB meets at Jackson Park at noon to distribute food kits through the community. In addition, they are part of numerous distribution events at Milwaukee-area venues (most recently part of a free resource fair with Reproductive Justice Action at the Beerline Plaza in October). Their Instagram is the most up to date location for upcoming events so please follow so you can be in the know! I’ll be attending their November food kit distro on the 15th- if you’d like to come with let me know 😃
Help Keep Our Neighbors Warm: Family Soup Mutual Aid and HeaterBloc Reno (Reno)
With cold weather approaching, sharing supplies to make sure our unhoused neighbors are able to safely withstand the dangerous temperatures is an urgent need. I’ve mentioned Family Soup Mutual Aid on the blog before (they do critical work distributing food and supplies to folks in Reno) and this month they’re partnering with HeaterBloc Reno to collect cold weather supplies. This can include supplies like blankets, sleeping bags, tents and warm clothing, plus supplies to make heater cores (a much safer method of creating heat sources for folks in tents/other informal housing without access to heat so they don’t need to use propane, which while effective, can be very dangerous). They will be collecting items through November 28th at The Fox Restaurant and Brewery at 124 Wonder Street in Reno. If you’re interested in helping with distribution efforts, please either reach out to either of the Instagram accounts linked above, or meet at the Believe Plaza at 5 PM on Tuesday, November 4th. As a side note- Fox Restaurant and Brewery is also collecting canned food for the Northern Nevada Food Bank. Consider bringing some food too!!
Warming Supply Drive: A Will and a Way (Seattle/ Remote)
Anyone who has been through a Seattle winter knows how dark, wet, and cold it can be. While Seattle may not get below freezing often, the combination of frequent, soaking precipitation and temperatures in the 40’s creates dangerous conditions for anyone living outside and/or in informal housing. A Will and a Way is a Seattle based mutual aid group who has been distributing food, warming supplies, clothing, and housing materials for years. If you’re able to help contribute to their purchase of these supplies, please consider sending money via any of the methods shown on the picture (next to the cat, hehe). Anything helps!
Food Distribution: Seattle Community Fridge (Seattle)
I’ll keep this one short since I’ve mentioned this organization many times on the blog. But goddamnit, now it’s more important than ever to get involved with groups like this providing critical food and resources to our neighbors. SCF recently redid one of the fridges and pantries in Capitol Hill, relocated their Burien-based fridge, and just opened a new fridge in the Central District located at Estelita’s Library! They’re also in the process of locating a new fridge location within the University District, which will be an incredibly helpful resource for the dense population in that neighborhood. If you want to get involved, please submit a form here and let me know (I can message the group and let them know you’re an awesome human 😀). Lets help keep our neighbors fed, y’all.
Hope y’all are ready to get involved- any of us with food in our kitchens and a roof over our heads should be. Please, as always, reach out to me if you have any questions or want to talk about what it’s like to get involved in orgs like this. I am very new to all of this still, so there’s so much that I have still to learn, but I’m also happy to share my experience and talk through any hesitations you may have to make sure you find the best way to get plugged in. At the end of the day, we all have so much to offer and are valuable members of our community. Let’s live up to that!
Sending you all love from this grey November morning in Wisconsin (currently I’m watching the most unhinged squirrel chase another one back and forth across the branches in a giant tree in my neighbor’s yard- those lil fuckers are so crazy. Gotta love em!)
🧡- Matt
La Vida Veeta 
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