We’re getting a dry spell right now in the Star Trek fandom. I’m starting a series here on Fangirlish in the interim, highlighting some things you can do to scratch your Star Trek itch while you wait for Star Trek: Picard season 3 to premiere on February 16, 2023. First up is a live event happening this Saturday, January 14, 2023—TREKtalks2! Have you heard about this telethon? Let me give you the rundown of the event and tell you why you should tune in to TREKtalks2.
What is TREKtalks2?
TREKtalks2 is the second annual online telethon in support of The Hollywood Food Coalition featuring conversations with numerous Star Trek actors, directors, propmakers, behind-the-scenes folks, and more. The pre-show panel starts at 9:45 am PT/12:45 pm ET with the SyFy Sistas. If you’ve not heard of the SyFy Sistas, these ladies dig into all aspects of science fiction and fantasy, but they got their start because of their love for Star Trek: Discovery, particularly Captain Michael Burnham as played by Sonequa Martin-Green. Their pre-show is sure to be a good time, so don’t be late!
TREKtalks2 is hosted by John Billingsly, aka Dr. Phlox from Star Trek: Enterprise, and Bonnie Gordon, aka the ship’s computer from Star Trek: Prodigy. Both are sure to be delightful. John is on the board for The Hollywood Food Coalition, so TREKtalks is his brainchild. Let’s learn a little more about the work of The Hollywood Food Coalition.
What is The Hollywood Food Coalition?
The Hollywood Food Coalition has been serving the community in Hollywood since 1987. What started as serving sandwiches on the corner to the unhoused and those facing food insecurity once a night has turned into a full multi-course meal 7 nights a week. In 2020, HoFoCo averaged 200 meals a night and they haven’t missed a night since 1987. The organization has also partnered with several other community organizations to not only address issues of food insecurity, but other health and wellness needs like housing, medical care, psychological services, substance abuse programs, and employment opportunities. It’s a great organization that is truly changing the lives of neighbors in need. And that’s the big thing–HoFoCo sees these problems as problems that can only be solved within the context of community. It’s simply humans helping other humans because it is the right thing to do.
What Does This Have to Do With Star Trek?
When Star Trek: The Original Series premiered in 1966, Gene Roddenberry envisioned a world where there was no longer poverty, disease, violence, or war. Racism, sexism, and hatred are things of the past. As Captain Kirk famously says in the episode, “Balance of Terror,” “Leave any bigotry in your quarters. There’s no room for it on the bridge.” The work of The Hollywood Food Coalition helps to bring the idea of true equality envisioned in Star Trek to a reality. TREKtalks2 brings together folks from all aspects of the Star Trek community in support of an organization that gives people dignity and a real hand-up. No strings attached.
If you’d like to tune into TREKtalks2, you can watch on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch this Saturday, January 14, 2023, starting at 9:45 am PT/12:45 pm ET. If you want to donate to The Hollywood Food Coalition, you can do so directly here or through the TREKtalks2 page.
As John Billingsly famously says, “Live long and mark your calendars!”
Stay tuned here to Fangirlish where I’ll be sharing more fun ways to get your Trek fix while we wait for Picard.
