Conscious Alliance
One on One with Justin Baker
by Chris Lowry
Justin, you started this organization in college with a food drive. What motivated you to start the conscious alliance at such an early time in your life?
I got involved in High School with the Food Not Bombs campaign. Food Not Bombs is one of the fastest growing revolutionary movements throughout the world. Food Not Bombs is not a charity. This energetic grassroots movement is active throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. For over 25 years the movement has worked to end hunger and has supported actions to stop the globalization of the economy, restrictions to the movements of people, end exploitation and the destruction of the earth. I started my own chapter at 15 in Hartford, CT. It was awesome; I won a few awards for being recognized for my work in the community. Conscious Alliance manifested when I interned with Madison house management. I started with a booth getting food donations while being at String Cheese Incident concerts and festivals. I wanted to open a food pantry on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation as it’s the 2nd poorest area in the country. We came up with the idea to make limited edition posters so when people donated food at the concerts they would get a poster. We raised enough money and food from these posters that we put up a food pantry on the reservation that could stock food for a year.
In 5 years your organization has distributed over 500,000 lbs of food. That is incredible, how do you feel about the growth of your organization and what you’ve done for communities around the country?
I think I have done a decent job but there is so much to do to help this country. From concerts alone we have raised 500,000lbs of food. We have made an impact in the communities, donating the food we get and getting the young people involved. That has created interest in helping in the community. Also getting bands, promoters, and community members interested in helping out. My goal is to inspire people to give and bring awareness to this cause.
Is there something that stands out as a major accomplishment? When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans you guys responded with food and money within days. How did you do that?
Work we did after Hurricane Katrina defined who we were as an organization. I went to Houston after Katrina and found out all rental trucks were all gone. Luckily we had a great relationship with Penske Truck Rentals and they got us one from out of town. Don and I purchased food for Katrina victims and we made a huge impact in the community. It was a life changing experience for me. We wrote letters to all these bands and artists we knew and they kept sending money in for this cause. We kept shuttling food for relief efforts with the Penske trucks we got. We had transported over 600,000 lbs of food between the 2 of us, while working 18 hour days. We donated 100% of the money we received to the people, relief kitchens and fed over 5000 people per day. Dave Matthews had 3 red rock shows already set up; he added 2 more to benefit Katrina victims. With those shows we filled a semi truck with food.
What does the future hold for Conscious alliance?
Opening a network of food pantries and being able to assist disaster relief efforts around the world. I hope we can become an international aide organization.
As the Executive Director what are some of the struggles you face on a regular basis?
Largest challenge is living with tight budgets, but you got to believe in what you want, have heart and keep doing what you can to make an impact in the community. We generate all the money through our special events. You just need to keep pushing and stay positive. I’m usually on the road 9 months out of the year for the last 5 years. And it’s a constant struggle but the reward to those that need it most is worth it.
Anything you want to add?
I want to thank everyone who has made us who we are. We rent the trucks and everyone else volunteers their time. We appreciate everyone that has helped in one way or another.