30th Anniversary of Krishna Lunch           
                       by Savyasaci das

The North Lawn of the University of Florida came alive with color as our crew of 30 volunteers put up the Festival of India tents and exhibits. The volunteers - UF students, temple devotees and a dozen of the local Vaishnava youth - worked for six hours readying the canopies and displays. Even before they finished, students wandered through the tents reading about vegetarianism, reincarnation, and the Bhagavad-gita while admiring the transcendental art. We advertised the event by handing out thousands of flyers and sending messages to our 500+ student e-mail list. Bhakta Adam designed an ad and placed it in the student newspaper, while Bhakta Tony prepared media packets and faxed press releases to all our local media. The advertising paid off as two television crews and three newspaper reporters came to the site on our opening day.
      During the day, over a thousand students toured the displays, watched bhajans and plays on stage, and relaxed on the grass while feasting on a seven-course meal prepared by Radha Raman and Devakarya Prabhus. Others lined up for additional goodies like pizza, doughnuts, pakoras and cheesecake. John Crate, a 32-year-old exercise and sports science major, summed up the popularity of the Krishna Lunch: "It's a healthy alternative, the price is right, and I like the atmosphere."
      After a successful day like that it's always nice to get together with devotees back at the temple. That's what we did - but instead of going back to the temple we held our Rama Navami program right at the festival! Over 400 devotees and guests helped us worship the deities of Sita, Rama, Lakshman, and Hanuman brought to the festival site by Syamakunda and Satyavati Prabhus. A roaring kirtan spread across the North Lawn drawing the attention of all who passed by.
      Due to word of mouth and the television and newspaper coverage, the next morning the crowd was even larger. Local dignitaries had agreed to help us officially commemorate the 30th anniversary of the prasadam distribution program. However, as the time for their speeches neared I couldn't find any of them. Then I noticed they were in the line for prasadam! Brahmatirtha Prabhu and myself welcomed them and assured them that we would have their plates brought to them after the ceremony.
      First, George Kramer, the Student Body President spoke on behalf of the thousands of students who have benefited from the Krishna Lunch program. He wished us continued success for another 30 years. Next, Pageen Hanrahan, Gainesville City Commissioner, glorified the service of the Hare Krishna Center in adding multicultural diversity to our city. Alachua County Commissioner, Dave Newport told the crowd: "The

      Finally, Professor Vasudha Narayanan, president of the American Academy of Religion provided some cultural background: "According to the Hindu dharma shastras (scriptures), there is no limit to the benefit obtained by both the giver and the receiver of food offered to God."
     

      The crowd of prasadam enthusiasts cheered and applauded as we thanked the dignitaries for their kind words. I then pointed out to our dignitaries that, "Good leaders know how to serve their constituents." They nodded emphatically.
      "Therefore," I continued, "we have prepared these 30th Anniversary Krishna Lunch aprons for you to use as you help us serve the lunch to these hungry students! What do you think?"
      Dave Newport was so enthusiastic he grabbed the apron and jumped off the front of the stage running toward the prasadam tent.