The People’s Distro is launching their first ever initiative rooted in connecting local and global struggles for food sovereignty, with a special spotlight on Palestine and Sudan.

The next People’s Distro is on September 25 in Ward 12, which is home to may Palestinian and Sudanese families. These communities came here as refugees and asylum seekers, escaping war, genocide, and political violence. They are part of the fabric of Cleveland.

What we have in common is food insecurity, and with this, our fight for justice.

Cleveland is not hungry – it’s made hungry. Here in Cleveland, 30% of residents face food insecurity, and 1 in 4 children go hungry. Food banks are also losing 1M+ pounds of food due to federal cuts.

Gaza is not starving – it’s being starved. In Gaza, 100% of people face crisis-level hunger and 500,000+ people are in Phase 5 famine. Half the population are children.

Sudan is not facing famine – it’s being forced into it. In Sudan, 25M+ people face acute food insecurity, and 600K+ are in catastrophic famine. Nearly half the population is under 18.

Food sovereignty is a shared struggle. We all have the right to our land and resources, to nutritious, culturally relevant food, and to dignity and peace. The People’s Distro is working to make sure folks are fed both here in Cleveland and abroad in places like Gaza.

You can follow the People’s Distro on Instagram at @ThePeoplesDistro to stay informed. The People’s Distro is accepting donations here.