New Waveland Cafe and Market

Four days after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast a small group from Bastrop Christian Outreach Center (BCOC) came to the area searching for the daughter of a churchmember. What they found was a town that had lost everything. The BCOC began feeding the survivors. They were quickly overwhelmed by the need. They went looking for additional help. At the same time a group from the Rainbow Tribe travelled down from Wisconscin with a bus full of kitchen equipment to feed displaced people. The BCOC and the Rainbow Tribe crossed paths. Whether by luck or by miracle, the unlikely partners cooperated with each other to feed and provide supplies for more than 1,000 people each day from September to December 1, 2005.

Hundreds of volunteers from both groups took up the cause. These are a few stories of faith, cooperation, courage, creativity and kindness.

See the Photo Essay >>

	Jimmie Jones, Jr., Knoxville, TN One of the founding volunteers of the New Waveland Cafe and Market. This interview is in three sections to make downloading easier. It is a really strong telling of the Waveland story.
	David Sanotovich, Wisconscin One of the founding volunteers at the New Waveland Cafe and Market. This interview was done at the Welcome Home Cafe where David is involved in start up of that project.
	Fay Jones, Bastrop, Tx Member of the Bastrop Christian Outreach Center One of the first responders. She gives a beautiful overview of the BCOC perspective of the relief efforts and acts of faith.
	Grace Murdock, Sebastocol, CA Volunteer at the New Waveland Cafe and Market sings a Rainbow Gathering song. November 19, 2005
	Alison Roth, Pittsburgh, PA Talks about her experience as a first-time volunteer to a disaster area.
	Robert Clovis Siemons, Wisconscin One of the first responders to the relief efforts. Talks about being Response-Able. He took it upon himself to bring his kitchen and sought resources from Organic Valley to start the Cafe.
	Anne Mackle, Philadelphia, PA Talks about stepping up to volunteer
	Kim Newsome, Nome Alaska Talks about ongoing relief efforts; an innovative drive through distribution center set up by student volunteers at the New Waveland Cafe and Market; and about Christian first response teams
	Aaron Funk, Berkley, CA Rainbow Tribe member who was one of the first people to come to help the people of Waveland, MS. He talks about all kinds of people coming together to rebuild.
	Rainbow Robin, Vermont Talks about the Rainbow Tribe.
	Vermin, Vermont Vermin entertains people in the dinner line with his spontaneous comedic routines.
	Linda Seal and Beau Tewelow Hurricane Survivors from Bay St. Louis
	Daniel Johnson, Jackson, MS Community Outreach Manager of the Rainbow Cooperative Grocery Talks about how the Co Op donated fresh food to the Waveland efforts.
	Brian Michaels Eugene, OR Volunteer and Rainbow Tribe member.
	Floyd Agee Construction worker who was deceived by unscrupulous contractors.
	Lali Smith, NYC Volunteer who is helping to coordinate the next phase of efforts in St. Bernard Parish