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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Markets, restaurants donate supplies to Occupy protesters

<p>Occupy Gainesville protesters line University Avenue on Wednesday. The protesters who still occupy Bo Diddley Community Plaza live off organic and local food deliveries.</p>

Occupy Gainesville protesters line University Avenue on Wednesday. The protesters who still occupy Bo Diddley Community Plaza live off organic and local food deliveries.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has rallied to collect about $300,000 dollars and a storage unit full of donations for New York City protesters. Occupy Gainesville is living off of organic and local food.

Protesters receive daily deliveries of food to their headquarters on Bo Diddley Community Plaza.

"It is mostly the community that's been helping us out," said Chris Sholtz, 34, a member of the movement's media committee.

She said the community's support has made the occupation easier.

"[Occupying] isn't an inconvenience at all," Sholtz said.

Harry's Seafood, Bar & Grille has been donating water and ice. Big Lou's is in charge of donating pizza. The Hare Krishnas have donated vegan meals. Ward's Supermarket takes care of the organic produce and gave Occupy Gainesville a line of credit.

All donated meals are at least vegetarian, if not vegan.

If meat is served, it is served off to the side and out of the way. Of the food served to the protesters, 80 percent is organic and locally grown, said Francis Bennett, 43, an active member of the organization's food and comfort committee.

He said his goal is to "get the most nutritious and hearty meals to people."

One supporter has been cooking and delivering breakfast and dinner since Wednesday, Sholtz said.

At least seven businesses have donated food or supplies to the movement since the occupation started.

Jennifer Vito, 33, owner of 1982 and a member of Occupy Gainesville, is donating electricity.

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"As a business owner and an individual, I am here to help in any way I can, whether it is by donating power strips, having arts shows or hosting fundraisers," she said.

The goal of 1982, a local music bar, runs parallel to what Occupy Gainesville is trying to do, Vito said.

"Already, our mission [is] to be a community space and support the arts," she said. "Already, so much of the community is involved in Occupy Gainesville."

1982 lets Occupy Gainesville protesters use some of its power strips to power laptops, phone chargers and anything else that makes the occupation easier.

All trash created by the cooking process goes into personal compost piles at the protesters' homes, Bennett said.

"We're fighting for people's rights," Bennett said. "We're pointing out where the little man is getting squashed."

Occupy Gainesville protesters line University Avenue on Wednesday. The protesters who still occupy Bo Diddley Community Plaza live off organic and local food deliveries.

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