Just before everyone sat down to a delicious Thanksgiving feast last week, one artist from Ridgewood helped those who did not have a family, safe place or a warm cooked meal with a free Thanksgiving dinner last Wednesday afternoon.
The artist, who prefers to go by the name Plasma Slug, held his Kindness event on Nov. 23 at 1080 Wyckoff Ave. between noon and 4 p.m. where dozens of people came in to the art gallery space to enjoy a hot meal.
Plasma Slug was able to get the funds together to ensure that 100 plates were available — fully catered by nearby The Deep End — for those looking for a hot meal, and to escape the pressures of everyday life.
“The election just made a lot of negative energy around everyone lately and I was thinking how I could combat that, so I figure on [Wednesday] the 23rd I wanted to invite everyone who is any need of food and compassion to come join us for a free hot meal,” Plasma Slug said. “It started out as an easy idea, but then the cost of everything really hit close to home; after all, I make a living from my art and that alone is never guaranteed. Either way I felt it was the right thing to do and took a chunk out of rent money and put it directly towards the food and was able to ensure 100 hot plates of pulled chicken, pulled turkey, pulled pork, stuffing and mashed potatoes. The rest of the money has been raised by selling art on my art pages and doing commissions all month with all proceeds going towards the project.”
Plasma Slug specializes in graffiti art and loves to use his work to help and inspire people. By selling his artwork, Plasma Slug was able to raise funds for the food, renting out the venue, security staff, tables and chairs, as well as marketing and promotion for the event.
There was even entertainment on hand, as Loco Coco the Clown performed magic tricks, juggled, made balloon animals and did a sword-swallowing routine.
This isn’t the first time that Plasma Slug has held an event for the Ridgewood community. Last year he held “Plasmaville,” an art event for kids and adults at the historic Onderdonk House.
“Tons of people were blown away by how much positive energy they were able to gain and give out after the art events in the past,” he said. “Up until recently, I have been focused on trying to maintain a living as a full-time artist and really didn’t get to do anything positive to my liking. The thought of feeding the homeless isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but to have [an] area where people who need hot food and compassion can come together no matter what living status the outside world has given them [and] all to feel equal within the venue of the event.”
