VINE hosts dinner with animal-free fare

On Sunday, a gathering of 30 enjoyed eating vegan at a potluck dinner sponsored by VINE animal refuge sanctuary.  VINE's free quarterly dinners are open to the public. This one held at the Unitarian Universalist church in Springfield.

VINE Sanctuary is a non-profit farmed animal refuge based in Springfield, Vermont. More than 600 animals — including birds, goats, sheep and cows seized by Vermont authorities in cases of extreme cruelty or neglect — live at the 100+ acre sanctuary.


VINE organizes quarterly vegan potlucks as part of its local educational programming, with participants coming from as far north as Burlington and as far south as Massachusetts.

Why vegan? Plant-based diets are more nutritious, less dangerous and expensive, and kinder to the earth and animals than diets that include meat and other animal products. Because some people who call themselves “vegetarian” eat eggs or dairy products, many people who eat no animal products at all call themselves “vegan.” Whether new to the idea of veganism or looking for new vegan diet ideas, attending one of VINE’s potlucks will offer an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with other vegans.

vine.bravebirds.org

Pride Potluck for VINE Sunday, June 25, 2017 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Unitarian Universalist Church 21 Fairground Rd, Springfield, VT VINE Sanctuary invites the public to celebrate Pride month by enjoying a rainbow of plant-based food on Sunday, June 25th, from 5:30 to 8pm at the Unitarian Universalist church in Springfield, Vermont. This free event is open to the public, and everybody is welcome whether or not they are vegan, LGBTQ, or bring a dish to share. LGBTQ people and their non-LGBTQ friends, family members, and allies recognize June as “Pride Month” in remembrance of the events of June 1969, which are seen as the beginning of the modern movement against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. On June 28 of that year, gay and trans patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back against police abuses they had previously tolerated. That uprising galvanized a boisterous march through the streets of the city later that weekend, an event now commemorated by “Pride” marches across the United States each June. The word “pride” reflects a feeling of self-worth among people who had been taught to be ashamed of themselves. Since the 1990s, the rainbow flag has served as a symbol of LGBTQ pride. In celebration of both LGBTQ pride and the rainbow of flavors offered by fruits and vegetables, VINE Sanctuary challenges participants in the June 25th potluck to bring dishes that incorporate as many colors as possible. Since several volunteers will be bringing more than one dish to share, anyone can attend — even if they do not bring something to share. The only requirement is that any food brought to the potluck be vegan, which means free from any animal products such as meat, dairy, or eggs. People who would like to try making a vegan dish but don’t know where to start can visit VegWeb.com or VegKitchen.com to search for recipes. At the event, prizes will be distributed for the most colorful entree, side dish, and dessert. VINE Sanctuary is an LGBTQ-founded non-profit farmed animal refuge based in Springfield, Vermont. More than 600 animals — including birds, goats, sheep and cows seized by Vermont authorities in cases of extreme cruelty or neglect — live at the 100+ acre sanctuary. VINE organizes quarterly vegan potlucks as part of its local educational programming, with participants coming from as far north as Burlington and as far south as Massachusetts. In addition to caring for sanctuary residents and promoting respect for animals, VINE advocates for social and environmental justice. As an LGBTQ-founded animal rescue organization, VINE has worked for many years to understand and explain the linkages among animal exploitation and social injustice as well as the benefits of a unified effort to end violence of all kinds. At the event, attendees who are interested in such ideas can pick up and discuss brochures and other literature. Since dietitians encourage everybody to “eat the rainbow” by incorporating colorful fruits and vegetables in our diets, and since we all have LGBTQ people in our families and communities, VINE hopes to see a big crowd at the Rainbow Vegan Potluck celebrating Pride Month!