Vegan Charity Delivers Homemade Chili to Homeless New Yorkers
Veganism is a lifestyle based on compassion: compassion for animals, compassion for the earth, and compassion for humans, too. Eating fresh, natural food is healthiest for all involved, and what’s more compassionate than that?
Given this overarching commitment to compassion and kindness, it only makes sense that the vegan movement would go hand in hand with humanitarian efforts, and that’s the inspiration behind Chilis on Wheels, a vegan charity run by Michelle Carrera and her her four-year-old son Ollie.
The dynamic duo makes and distributes homemade vegan chili to New York City’s homeless population. They cook up the hearty, vegetable-based chili in their home kitchen, then walk the streets handing out individual portions in plastic containers.
Carrera came up with the idea after she was unable to find a shelter or food bank that shared her vegan values.
“We are a vegan family, we believe that animals have a right to their lives and their bodies in the same way that all people do. Veganism is about compassion, towards animals, towards the environment, and towards other people,” explains Carrera.
Chilis on Wheels receive a warm welcome from the people they serve, many of whom actually don’t eat meat, Carrera adds. A food-focused vegan charity was a need not being filled, she explains.
“We walk through the streets and we also set up a table in Washington Square Park at 2 p.m. on Saturdays. At the table, which has a sign for Free Vegan Chili, people do approach us and ask us about veganism. I am more than happy to share information about it, and direct them to resources on veganism.”
A lot of homeless people have to live solely on the side dishes offered at shelters, since most meals are meat-based. If the Carreras don’t immediately announce that the chili is vegan, people have asked them if it contains meat.
Ollie loves being a part of the effort, Carrera adds.
“Ollie likes to cook, pack, and deliver the chili,” says Carrera. “His favorite part is distributing it. He likes to connect with the people that we meet, he likes to be in charge of the waters, and to play with our volunteers.”
Of course, the warm-hearted family could use a helping hand.
Michelle Carrera preparing chili.
“We are in need of volunteers who want to help us distribute the chili. We also accept donations to help us cover the cost of food,” Carrera explains.
They have big dreams for Chilis on Wheels. The group has even sparked another branch in Puerto Rico that distributed its first meal last Sunday.
“Our goal is to set up a community food hub with a daily vegan soup kitchen, classes on low budget vegan cooking, help in navigating government aid, a garden to hold classes on growing our own vegetables in reduced spaces, and other events and classes related to food for the community. We need all sorts of people to make this dream a reality—people that can help us build this movement of vegan food for those in need.”
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This is quite amazing. There are few places for the very needy to obtain very healthy food, even the Churches seem to be oblivious at times and for those who are too shy to go and get the help they need, diet can be a critical turning point. We must do all we can to accommodate both the less fortunate and those who have the ability to provide, as well.