audio: MP3 at 2.4 MB

here is an audio report for free speech radio news:
A massive show of public support including a rally, march and call-in campaign has temporarily staved off the eviction of the "Welcome Home Kitchen" in Washington Square Park in New Orleans, the only kitchen serving free, fresh, nutritious meals to the people of New Orleans east of Canal St.

Although the immediate threat of eviction seems to have been stopped, the 'Welcome Home' kitchen remains under the imminent threat of closure by a city that is providing no similar service of its own for returning New Orleanians.
Dean is a local resident who recently returned to New Orleans:
"My home is wrecked - they're telling us come back, but there's no place to stay - this kitchen is doing what the city and FEMA should be doing, but they're not." :25

The kitchen was founded in late September by a group of volunteers from the 'Rainbow Family of Living Light', best known for their yearly 4th of July Rainbow Gatherings. The Rainbow Family has been instrumental in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina. The kitchen they founded in Waveland, Mississippi, the area hardest hit by the storm, has been consistently serving 2,000 people a day since its inception in early September.

Dee Anne Domnick is one of the kitchen's founders:
"I'm a registered nurse, and have been part of the medical tent, where we provide services.......the city has said there are concerns with sanitation, but it is actually a neighbor's complaint that brought this on...." (:25)

Kenny is a local resident served by the kitchen:
"These people want their property values to go up....they depend on tourists, and there aren't any right now, so they're blaming the kitchen - but we're not gonna rebuild the spirit of New Orleans with that kind of attitude - we need to work together to rebuild" (:20)

The "Welcome Home Kitchen", funded entirely by donations,, has been serving well over 700 people each day for three meals a day, as well as providing free medical care, a distribution center of clothing and supplies, a community bulletin board and information table, and a sense of camaraderie that has brought smiles and hugs from people in the most desperate of circumstances. A few blocks away is a facility with huge tents and serving areas set up by FEMA, but it is for FEMA contractors only, and large signs posted outside say "No public services available".