Q&A with Keith McHenry

  

 

 

Keith McHenry is the author of the new memoir Soup Street. His other books include Hungry for Peace, and he is the founder of the grassroots movement Food Not Bombs.  

 

Q: Why did you decide to write this memoir?

 

A: After spending five decades organizing for peace and social justice I though my life’s story might inspire others to see how rewarding living such a life might be and give them hope that they too could follow their heart.

 

I also wanted to share my experiences that inspired me to dedicate my life to ending poverty and war. I lived in a world before the Interstate highway system and fast food restaurants at every exit. I experienced the freedom of a childhood in a wilderness without borders enjoying an unblemished natural world.

 

I have been blessed to experience a world that is invisible to most and I wanted to share my insights so the reader can have some understanding of the obstacles that need to be navigated around to build a future that respects our dignity and provides access to the basics of life like food, healthcare and education that our political and economic systems currently withholds.

 

My mother’s father spent much of his life as an intelligence agent and taught me about how that covert world worked and as I became an activist I was directly interfered with by those same invisible forces. Even so while I faced many obstacles as a result I thrived and the reader can find hope that they can overcome such difficulties.

 

I also wanted those reading my text to see the beauty of those who are homeless. Not only feel compassion for their condition but realize that we are neighbors.

 

Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?

 

A: I presented a number of titles to my friends and fellow students in my book completion workshop at The Opening. One I floated was “Food Terrorist” after the mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyre, called us food terrorist during a TV interview but people thought the public would think it was a book about poisoning people.

 

I had a list of about 20 that included “Soup Street.” It was the most poetic and reflected those days I lived homeless on the street, my participation in street protests, and the years I volunteered sharing meals and groceries with the hungry.

 

Q: What do you see looking ahead when it comes to hunger issues?

 

A: Sadly, I believe hunger will increase. The war against Iran has disrupted oil and the minerals required to make fertilizer. This is already driving up costs not only for gas at the pump but for many consumer items including groceries.

 

The war against Russia is also interfering with food production with much of Ukraine’s fertile farm land in the area with active combat.  Ukraine and Russia are also bombing grain and sunflower oil shipments on the Black Sea. 

 

Nearly 70 percent of American farmers reported that the increase in fertilizer prices caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced them to plant less than they had in the past years. The 2027 growing season could see one of the lowest harvests in modern times.

 

The conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia may take the kingdom’s oil off line for years. If Egypt joins the war on the side of Saudi Arabia the Red Sea could be closed.

 

Approximately 12 percent of global trade passes through the Suez Canal each day. If Egypt joins the war against Yemen, the government of Ansar Allah might block the Suez Canal with one missile strike on a ship passing through the canal.

 

The longer the war continues, the more prices for most things will rise.

 

The war against Iran could be catastrophic in other ways. If attacked again, Iran has threatened to cut the undersea internet cables and attack US AI data centers in the Persian Gulf nations. This could interrupt banking and supply chain infrastructure that relies on the internet.

 

They also claim they will respond with attacks on electrical generating stations and desalination plants, which would force millions of people to flee the region creating the world’s largest refugee crisis. So far when Iran announces how they will respond to an attack they always keep their word.

 

There are other areas of concern that could also cause hunger to increase. There is turbulence in the financial sector. The stock market is volatile, layoffs are on the increase while wages are stagnate. All of these issues point to an increase in hunger not only in the US but around the world.

 

The spike in prices has already sparked rebellions across Europe and parts of the Middle East. The famines in Gaza and Sudan maybe a sign of things to come.

 

The Food Not Bombs group I volunteer with have been preparing buying large amounts of rice and beans. We have also been stockpiling can goods.

 

Q: What impact did it have on you to write this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

 

A: In my attempt to make the most compelling and authentic book about my life possible I tried to connect with my true self. One of the first workshops I took was with Nick Flynn, the author of Another Bullshit Night in Suck City. It turned out our paths had crossed in our support of the homeless community in Boston.

 

His prompts inspired me to investigate my relationship with my uncle Keith and family history, which became the chapter Am I Keith or Am I Keith. As I was writing Soup Street I also read Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir and that was a great help in encouraging me to writing from my heart. To take a deep look at what makes me tick.

 

I hope readers are inspired to find meaning in their own lives. I am particularly interested in providing hope for young readers that they too can make a difference in other people’s lives and that sometimes it can take decades to see the results so don’t give up.

 

I want to remind people that there have been times when America wasn’t trashed with interstate highways, fast food restaurants, and big box stores. That the reader has a better understanding of the obstacles created by the FBI and other intelligence agencies and how you can overcome those disruptions with persistence and a path that reflects your true self.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I volunteer with my local Food Not Bombs group here in Santa Cruz, California, going to the market to buy bulk dry goods, maintaining our commercial kitchen, and coordinating food donations from local shops.

 

I also continue to support people in their effort to start new Food Not Bombs chapters and update the map and other pages on www.foodnotbombs.net.

 

I package and mail out t-shirt and book orders. I get calls from people seeking food from every corner of the United States and I direct them to the closes pantry. One task I enjoy is the promotion of my memoir Soup Street online and I participate in many podcasts.

 

I am also writing a second memoir. Soup Street is a third of the text I wrote during seven years of participating in Andy Couturier’s weekly book completion workshop.

 

Once I recover from my lower back injury I intend to start touring again to promote my books and build support for Food Not Bombs.

 

I also write commentary about current events for my Substack and Wordpress blogs.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: The chaos of war and the growing economic crisis can be debilitating but thankfully we have one another to lean on. Decentralized local mutual aid projects like Food Not Bombs are a great way to maintain a positive attitude while providing direct assistance.

 

Our local Food Not Bombs group has a plan to meet at the Clock Tower if phone and electricity is disrupted so we can communicate in person. I encourage everyone to make such a plan and if you are not already in a local community group consider starting one with trusted friends and family members while services are still available. Let’s hope this will not be necessary because of current events.

 

Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs adopted this plan in 2019 just in case our community experienced another earthquake so no matter the situation this might be a wise suggestion.

 

We also started our program of storing bulk dry goods and set up a plan to meet the needs of hundreds in Santa Cruz during such a crisis. This was a huge help when the Covid lockdown started and the local soup kitchens were shuttered. We shared meals every day for three years while the other meals were closed so we know we can do it again.

 

Many other Food Not Bombs chapters are also preparing as they see the numbers increasing at their meals. The human spirit is resilient. I hope that is the message the reader gets from Soup Street.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb