Thanks
Posted on January 31, 2012
Filed Under Kansai Food Bank, relief & aid, volunteer | 1 Comment
The other morning I found this note in the Kozmoz mailbox along with a 200 yen donation.
For those that dont read Japanese the note says…
"I receive public assistance. My rent sucks up most of my welfare allowance and the only way I could ever eat a pastry is to take something out of my regular food budget. The other day I received some free pastries (at the Kozmoz Kansai Food Bank Pantry ) and enjoyed some for the first time in ages.
I really appreciate it, and am very grateful.
I am sorry this (donation) is so little but please receive it.
Thank you so much…"
Hope began and ends here in Kamagaseki
Posted on January 9, 2012
Filed Under Kansai Food Bank, relief & aid, volunteer | Leave a Comment
Today was our weekly trip taking aid of foodstocks to the Kamagaseki district in Nishinari Ku of Osaka. With its aptly named Ginza street (named after the elite district of Tokyo), it has been the source and bust of dreams for years in Western Japan. It is also often a shock for new middle class Japanese volunteers to see a part of their community that is often ignored or only seen in passing from the train tracks as the train labors by.
Kamagaseki is the home to both the largest population of day laborers, and conversely the largest population of homeless and highest concentration of homeless in Japan.
Strawberries for orphans
Posted on January 5, 2012
Filed Under Kansai Food Bank, relief & aid, volunteer | 1 Comment
"We have orphans in Kyoto"?
That was the question from our new driver at the food bank in Kansai this week. He was amazed to find that there are so many orphanages, that it takes 4 days a week for our foodbank delivery van to stop by just the ones in Kyoto, Takatsuki, and Ibaraki.
We have been working with the local orphanages here for about 15 years now providing free nutritious food stuffs as well as doing everything from cleaning to taking the kids to USJ for the day…
A Cold Night in Tennoji with the Batman
Posted on December 29, 2011
Filed Under Kansai Food Bank, relief & aid, volunteer | Leave a Comment
Tennoji station is the largest hub station in south Osaka and home to one of the largest homeless populations in the nation of Japan. It is also the haunt of a man that we call The Batman that helps provide for the local residents with no roof to call their own. We call him The Batman becuase he refuses to reveal his identity as he has a normal 9 to 5 job and fears that if his employer knew of his night time activities he could very well fall out of favor with his superiors.
Christmas for the Homeless
Posted on December 28, 2011
Filed Under events | Leave a Comment
| December 28, 2011 | ||
| 5:00 pm | to | 11:00 pm |
On Dec. 28 Wed. We will be making christmas dinners for the Homeless in Osaka. As the economy continues to worsen the number of the needy has increased significantly. It is our duty as members of society to support these people. What better way to let these people know that we care and have not forgotten about them than to give them a Christmas present.
We will start preparing the lunches on Dec. 28th Wed at 17:00 at the Fushimi Kozmoz Center,
We will prepare 50 lunches and take them at 19:00 to Osaka Tennouji.
We will meet up at 21:00 at the West Exit of JR Tennouji Station and start to hand out the lunches from there.
If you have any questions or would like to participate please feel free to send us an email
Merry Christmas!!
Kozmoz Kansai Food Bank
Posted on December 28, 2011
Filed Under Kansai Food Bank, relief & aid, volunteer | Leave a Comment
Meet Kunihisa and Keiko, helpers at the Kozmoz Kansai Food Bank Pantry. Food banking didn't exist Japan when Kozmoz came here 17 years ago, and it is still in it's infancy. However with the help of concerned citizens like these and the many others that help, foodbanking and food pantries are becoming a reality. Now each day companies concerned with reducing waste and investing in the communities they profit from, and citizens that feel a need to aleviate the ever deepening scars of poverty are working to expand food bank services. Both Keiko and Kunihisa are more than happy to
Reina!
Posted on December 16, 2011
Filed Under New York Coffee | 1 Comment
To your right, you will see the wonderful princess Reina, now helping with the website at kozmoz.
She is also skilled in:
- piano
- tennis
- spanish
- making chili dogs (super secret menu item coming soon)
Well, none of which has any real relation to website, but I wanted to give her a good plug. AND, of course maybe we can talk her into managing the hot dog cart on occasion after it makes its debut!
Everyday people making a difference
Posted on December 15, 2011
Filed Under relief & aid, volunteer | Leave a Comment
These nice folks to the left are from Icchukai (which roughly means "we are all one ) a group in Kyoto that practices Japanese Tea Ceremony or Sado, the way of tea. They come from an amazing variety of backgrounds but they all share a love of the inspiration that comes from practicing their craft and in that they were inspired to use their last chakai gathering as a venue to collect donations to support survivors from the devastating tsunami in n.e. Japan in March.
Though we rarely highlight financial donors here at Kozmoz, I was struck by the amazing diversity of their membership and could not help but think that if more "ordinary" people were to invest in their communities as these folk have, there would be perhaps a few more "haves" and a few less "have nots". And that is a great thing to remember as the Christmas season is upon us. I think I'll have a hot cup of green tea now ; )
The ultimate seat of power
Posted on December 12, 2011
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Buy Nothing Day is held each year on the 24th of November in which people from around the world agree to buy nothing for 24 hours. Why? in order to remind the architects of the economies around the world just who it is that provides the funds to fuel their grand economic plans. That would be you and me in case you had forgotten Read more
Kozmoz International Party November 2011
Posted on November 3, 2011
Filed Under events, New York Coffee | Leave a Comment
| November 5, 2011 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 11:00 pm |
KOZMOZ INTERNATIONAL PARTY ~NOV.~
Hi guys! thanks to all who showed up at the Halloween Party! I hope everyone had a blast! I did!! sorry for the late notice, been really busy lately but just wanted to remind & invite to our monthly party this Sat.(11/5)
The party starts at 7:30pm @KOZMOZ its all you can eat for 1000円!! We also have delicious beer and cocktails starting from 300円!!
Hope to see everyone here this week!! have a great holiday!!
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