What resources do Share a Meal provide?

Share a Meal makes and distributes fresh burritos, waters, and other supplies to people experiencing hunger or homelessness within Los Angeles. Every week volunteers meet the needs of Los Angeles residents via five different routes each weeknight. You can find our truck and get your free burrito by checking where we will be under the “Weekly Service Nights” tab under Get Involved.  If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness you can read how to get help with these national resources.

 

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How does Share a Meal work to end homelessness?

We can’t end homelessness without a concentrated and coordinated effort from all levels of government. Each sector must do its part to provide the money, resources, and housing so that all Los Angeles residents have a safe place to sleep at night and the necessary support. 

 

Our role is to combat hunger and thirst on the streets while working to build trust with the people we serve. We also pour our energy into our community of volunteers. Together we are laying the foundation for the urgency and will that is needed to tackle this humanitarian crisis.

 

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Is Share a Meal a 501(c)(3) nonprofit?

Share a Meal is a program of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Khalsa Peace Corps.

 

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How can I help Share a Meal’s cause?

You can support us by becoming a monthly donor, hosting a fundraiser, or dropping off product donations at our weekly services. We also invite you to volunteer with us and experience the Share  A Meal “lifestyle of service”. Lastly, you can spread the word about us to your family, friends, workspaces, and communities.

 

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What can I expect as a volunteer?

Volunteers help us prepare burritos, organize donations, and serve along our walking routes. On a typical Share A Meal night you will build connections with both the other volunteers and the people we serve. Our volunteer leads will acquaint you with our operations and explain our safety guidelines. We hope this experience allows you to forge relationships, learn more about this humanitarian crisis, and perfect your burrito-rolling abilities.

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Why has homelessness reached such crisis levels in Los Angeles?

A complex story lies behind each experience with homelessness. However, we know that skyrocketing rent, a lack of renter protections, gentrification, a housing shortage, medical debt, evictions, stagnating wages, and a myriad of other issues are the difference between a roof over your head one night and sleeping on the streets the next. 

 

Furthermore our systems, from foster care to prisons, continue to fail us. Marginalized and vulnerable groups, such as domestic violence survivors, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and veterans, experience these failures the most severely. In the unaffordable, sprawling, complex region of Los Angeles, the above issues are magnified among other local troubles including political inaction and community pushback to housing.