Reel and Meal at the New Deal

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series at the New Deal Cafe exploring vital environmental, animal rights, and social justice issues. Admission to the film is always free, sponsored by several Greenbelt community organizations. Contributions are gladly accepted to cover each month’s donation to a non-profit organization.

Reel and Meal events are in-person (limited seating) and online via Zoom.  Each month registration links will be posted here.  You can also reach out to Reel and Meal at

Date: Third Monday of every month
Time: The free film starts at 7pm.
Dinner: Dinners are available at the café after 4pm with several plant-based options.
Carryout: The Co-Op Supermarket Meatless Monday meals can be picked up from the “grab and go” for Zoom at-home viewing after 11am.
Location: Online or at the New Deal Cafe – 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt, MD
Public transportation: The cafe is accessible by Metro Buses G12, 13, 14 and 16 from the Greenbelt Metro station.

July 20, 2015

Poverty, Inc.

Promotional photo

Poverty, Inc. takes a close look at the poverty industry that has grown over the decades. The results of interventions on behalf of the poor in developing countries have been mixed, even catastrophic in some cases. Developing world leaders have been calling for change. Drawing on over 150 interviews it explores the hidden side of “doing good”.

From disaster relief to TOM’s Shoes, from adoptions to agricultural subsidies, Poverty, Inc follows our most well-intentioned efforts and pulls back the curtain on the poverty industrial complex – a multi-billion dollar market of NGOs, multilateral agencies, and for-profit aid contractors. Does this system catalyze development or does it perpetuate a system in which the poor stay poor while the rich get hipper?

The film challenges each of us to ask the tough question: Could I be part of the problem?

The discussion leader for the evening will be Dr. Ronda Ansted. Dr. Ansted, of Greenbelt, has long been involved with global poverty alleviation efforts, including working as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural South Africa and in business development for international NGOs. She recently completed her doctoral degree researching the challenges in the international aid industry and best practices for market-based interventions.

Poverty, Inc. was one of Utopia Film Festival’s outstanding entries in 2014. Held on the 4th weekend of October, the mission of the Utopia Film Festival is “seeking a better world through film”. This film is a prime example of that mission. Utopia has partnered with Reel and Meal for this month’s screening of Poverty, Inc.