WORLD WIDE AFRICA THE VOICE OF THE PAN AFRICAN MOVEMENT

TONIGHT  we will discuss  how to set up a free food program. "THE FREE FOOD PROGRAM OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY.  The Free Food Program requires a number offacilities and equipment. A building or warehouse or other facility is required from which to distribute the food on an ongoing basis. For the periodic mass distributions, trucks or large vans are needed. Depending on the number of people to be serviced, one or more buildings will be needed for storing the food. Refrigerators are required to prevent spoiling of meat and other perishable items. At least two cars or other vehicles must be available to transport those p ersons responsible for the procurement of the food. Finally, an office or communications center must be set up from which information about the program may be disseminated and questions about its services may be answered.  A minimum of six people is required to coordinate the Free Food Program. In order to cover as wide an area as possible, two people are responsible for the procurement of the food. The program depends almost entirely on donations of grocery store owners and wholesale food dealers. Once a collective decision is made as to how many people the program will service on an ongoing basis and how many will be serviced in the periodic mass distributions, procure­ ment personnel will determine what food items must be purchased and in what quantity. They will need to visit as many grocery store managers or owners as possible, explain the purpose of the Free Food Program, and show the manag­ers how their contributions will benefit the overall survival ofthe community. Procurement personnel may wish to concentrate on getting one specific food items from an individual manager or they may choose not get many items in the greatest number possible." HUEY P. NEWTON