Volunteers of the Week

Food on Foot is a chance to be a part of a unique project that allows me to give back to those less fortunate in my community. I believe that an essential part of living in a community is giving back to and helping others who are in need, and Food on Foot has definitely given me a resource for doing so! Food on Foot is also truly inspiring with how firmly they believe in giving every person a second chance, and working with them to do so every step of the way.

I like hearing the success stories of people who have successfully been through the work program and are now living a safe and healthy lifestyle thanks to Food on Foot. It seems that Food on Foot works in every area needed for a successful transition into the work environment, building confidence in the people they work with, teaching them responsibility and to become self-sufficient. It makes me feel very proud to be part of an organization that really helps people reshape their lives from the ground up.

When I was at the Christmas serving there was a family with young children in the line. When they reached the end and had been served their food, their little girl was so grateful that she reached forward and gave me a hug. The experience really taught me to be more thankful for the little things in life, and it felt really amazing to be able to make someone so happy with such a small gesture.

-Marina

Food on Foot means taking a break from my life to pay attention to the daily struggles of others. It means making an effort to help others find the ability to live the life they deserve. When you become involved and you talk to the people on the street and you see the way they are surviving, it becomes real and you want to stay involved. This is a real problem that isn't going away. Homelessness and poverty is epic and its right in our backyard. Food on Foot does not walk away from the problem. They get in there and motivate people to take charge of their situation and give them direction and strength and most importantly.. HOPE.  

I like The commitment from the people involved every day is an inspiration and a very positive message. I was truly touched by the genuine gratefulness of the people I met in the line. There was no expectation at all. Just a true thankfulness and appreciation.

-Kim

I made the right choice. I witnessed my dollars going straight to the people for whom I had given. The homeless and in-need individuals and families in Hollywood. Some had come to LA for fortunes, some were born into the cycle of poverty, others were addicted to drugs or other addictions. What was true of all of them ~ the appreciation for the warm sleeping bag, the bus tokens, and the hot chicken dinner we were serving.

Beyond the lines of people that came through for those items, were the amazing people who had finished the program and now had jobs, apartments, and responsibility in the community. As some gave us "2 minutes" of their stories, I was moved to heartfelt compassion for the road each of them had taken, as well as the feeling of being proud for them for the choices they had made to get where they were today.

Food on Foot walks alongside people most in need and gives them an opportunity out of homelessness --- if the path out is chosen. It's a hard road if they decide this, but the support to do the hard work is there through Food on Foot. I was most honored to see this in person on Christmas Day and encourage anyone who wants to make a tangible difference, to volunteer or donate towards this most worthy and dedicated organization.

-Lisa

Food on Foot means helping people get their lives together so they can lead happy and rewarding lives.

I like the fact that Food on Foot helps people help themselves as opposed to handing out aid without any accountability from those being assisted.

I remember walking on the line with a young boy who was very articulate and intelligent. I thought that society owes it to itself to give this young man a chance to grow up to become a a doctor, scientist or some other productive contributor to our community.

-Dan

I think FOF is an amazing organization that is self-supporting and far-reaching. I admire the goal of helping people gain the confidence and the courage to help themselves. I think the psychological support services and the requirement for “random acts of kindness” by the participants are essential pieces to the puzzle of success.

I am awed by the courage of the people who have graduated from the program and continue to support it by showing up and speaking to large groups of volunteers. I am inspired by their gratitude, strength and humility. They are an inspiration to me and can serve as models for all of us.

-Risa

As Hollywood natives, Food on Foot is very important to us. It is common to help humanitarian organizations all over the world, but we mustn't forget to help our own community. The issues the Hollywood poor face are similar to that of the larger national community: economic hardships, loss of employment, broken dreams. One common factor of the people FOF serves, is the loss of confidence when faced with these realities. FOF creates opportunities to restore confidence with its work for food programs and support systems. It means a lot to us to know that every single Sunday, no matter what, for the past 15 plus years, someone is trying to do something to help, and there are signs of the program's success all over the community with graduates working at Tender Greens, Whole Foods, and Amoeba Records, etc.

-Dawn