By Chelsea Chilewa, VRG Intern

On the third Saturday of August 2023, I had the privilege of representing The Vegetarian Resource Group booth at Vegan SoulFest in Baltimore, Maryland. Vegan SoulFest stands as a vibrant festival that celebrates culture, veganism, and the impact we can make. Amidst an array of vegan food and companies, various coalitions gathered along the waterfront to disseminate information about clean living.

Baltimore welcomed us with intense sunlight and a refreshing breeze. The anticipated number of attendees was quite something to imagine, but we warmly greeted each person with a friendly smile and gave away over 1,800 complimentary Vegan Journals with recipes to attendees who came by the booth.

My responsibilities for the day were straightforward: greet curious passersby at our booth and introduce them to The VRG, along with the array of resources we provide. Engaging with everyone was a true delight. I encountered individuals who were just embarking on their vegan journey, while others proudly shared that they had embraced veganism for as long as 42 years. Amidst this diverse spectrum of people, a common thread united us all—the shared aspiration for a better, cleaner, and more joyful world. I witnessed the profound impact of genuine connections. Each new interaction left an indelible mark, and individuals walked away from our booth inspired to explore new culinary horizons.

Among the many interactions, one encounter particularly resonated with me. A man approached our booth, navigating his way through the impatient crowd eagerly awaiting nearby pineapple cocktails. He exhibited a childlike curiosity as he picked up every item on our table, meticulously examining each pamphlet with a deep sense of earnestness. His inquiries were abundant—how we maintained our vegan lifestyle, our favorite dishes to cook, and if we could offer guidance for his specific concerns. Through our conversation, we learned that his curiosity stemmed from a recent health scare linked to his diet. Motivated by this experience, he resolved to eliminate meat from his diet, making the festival’s timing serendipitous and perfect for his journey of exploration.

I concluded my time at the booth with a picture taken and a bag full of goodies. This will be a day I describe to the new vegans coming to the fest 40 years in the future.

To support The Vegetarian Resource Group outreach, donate at www.vrg.org/donate

Or join at www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php