by Sandamini dasi, President, ISKCON Tucson
Posted October 15, 2009

Originally inspired in 1999 by Food for Life Global, the Tucson Temple held its tenth consecutive Feed the World Day on September 28. 

Originally inspired in 1999 by Food for Life Global, the Tucson Temple held its tenth consecutive Feed the World Day on September 28. We always have it on the last Monday of September to guarantee great weather for this outdoor event and so the date sticks in people’s minds. People came to experience "nourishing, blessed food that is kind to the planet, honors all species and feeds the soul" and to help us promote a peaceful and hunger-free world.

We had 450 people attending this year to honor the seven-course vegan feast and to hear continuous chanting of the holy name from a stage in the courtyard. Health-related booths, hands-on demonstrations, alternative lifestyle ideas, a BBT book table and eco-friendly vendors helped to create a compassionate and caring atmosphere, leading to a higher level of consciousness. "It’s important for the greater community to understand that we also care about the environment, health and the hunger issue. The Krishna consciousness view is very much in line with current concerns on global awareness, so there is no contradiction," says Bhakta Geno, a psychology graduate of the University of Arizona and the newest devotee to join the Tucson temple.

Srila Prabhupada paved the way for innovative preaching to attract westerners. Devotees could have a festival every day to celebrate all the rich Vaisnava philosophy and lifestyle and present it to the public in a very attractive way. What could be more palatable than a big plate of Krishna-prasad in the association of devotees and surrounded by the holy name?