FOOD ON FOOT

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Food on Foot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the poor and homeless of Los Angeles with nutritious meals, clothing, and assistance in the transition to employment and life off the streets. Food on Foot operates a weekly meal program every Sunday in Hollywood. Food on Foot began in March 1996 as one man's response to the hunger he witnessed among the poor and homeless of Hollywood. What initially began as the distribution of meals from the trunk of a car has grown through the dedication of its volunteers and now serves more than 500 meals each week to homeless, disabled, elderly and low-income adults and children. Rhona's message: The overwhelming realization I had when driving home after spending the afternoon with Food on Foot, was how much of an impact this organization has on the development of the individual life as well as the mass. The imperative factor to breaking the cycle is offering the opportunity to work and join the flow of society by gaining trust, nurturing confidence, by aiding he or she with certain tools such as bus tokens, phone cards and food coupons. Therefore arming them with the ability to choose to contribute to the community and so preparing them for the transition back into society. If they so choose. What struck me as I handed out food, delivering the only 'Merry Christmas' that has had any real potency, to every age, sex, background you can imagine, the awareness that we are all made of the same stuff takes full effect when you see yourself in the eyes of that 5 week old baby, mother that never made it home after the party, gentleman who lost it all or a girl my age who never had a chance to begin with, and you hope that if at some point life dealt you a different hand, someone loving and caring enough would be there to offer you a door out. What I appreciate most about Food on Foot is that it is not just a band-aid it's a cure. The proof is seeing the graduates, such as Daniel Cornelius wade through this seemingly molasses like situation and win. Grass growing through concrete, whichever way you want to put it, Food on Foot offers an out. The organization offers not only the practical things which are items essential for 'survival' but the most important things which really are free and we all have tanks of are love, encouragement and trust which are essential for 'living'. My feelings on volunteering are that it should be a way of life, if you have been blessed with these things then put some back, it's only on loan anyway. -Rhona