Volunteers of the Week

To me Food on Foot means giving back to less fortunate...

I like the most about Food on Foot, the fact that it helps people in the long term, not only by providing them necessary things to survive, but also by assisting them all the way in their journey back to society and building their confidence, so they can become independent and take care of themselves.

I really enjoyed being a part of a group that makes such a difference. I was a bit worried that there wouldn't be enough food for everyone, but the event was very well planned and organized.

-Adi

Food on Foot means a chance to be part of something that works. It is not only an amazing opportunity to give back to your community but a chance to meet the people that are working their way through the program, to hear their stories, and understand both their backstory as well as their hopes for the future.

I like that Food on Foot is different. It looks at the big picture. It attacks not only the immediate problem of people being homeless and hungry but also works to empower the people that want to change.

I was really moved by the Awards Ceremony. During this event you could truly see the pride people have in the work they've done and in the progress they've made. It felt great to take part in honoring them and to congratulate them on their hard work and dedication.

-Tarin

A BIG thank you to the group from Nickelodeon Animation that sponsored our Sunday December 16th Hollywood serving.

To me Food on Foot means giving back some of the many gifts given to me in my life.

Food on Foot endeavor s to help the homeless become productive citizens. It is very good work to give food and shelter to those in need. It's even better to teach those without food and shelter how to attain it for themselves on a permanent basis. Food on Foot accepts no government assistance. This too is crucial to the success of this program, it allows them the freedom to administer the organization in the most efficient and effective way possible.

I was blown away by the gratitude and smiles of the poor and the needy as I handed them food.

-Mike

A BIG thank you to Joanne Jackman and her group from Living in the Light Ministry for sponsoring the Sunday December 2nd serving.

We feel that Food on Foot is an opportunity to provide a pathway for people to get off the streets and become a viable part of our society if they choose to do so. It also provides us with an opportunity to give back to our Community and instill this commitment to our Children.

The thing we like best about Food on Foot is that it holds each person accountable for themselves and their behavior.

We are always impressed with the feedback that we get from the people we are serving. The majority of them are extremely polite and very appreciative of out time and effort. It makes you want to return the following week.

-Vicki and Dan Gold

Food on Foot is like a beacon of hope, encouragement and determination shining brightly every morning as.

Food on Foot is the only organization I have ever volunteered for that actually follows through on their promises and communicates the opportunity clearly. They offer an attainable goal and a straight forward process for achieving it. In my opinion, Food on Foot is the only organization that is dedicated to helping people fight the uphill battle of leaving the streets and returning to mainstream society.

At the most recent feeding I attended, I recognized a woman in the rewards program who has been participating for some time now. You really cannot miss her because she smiles from ear-to-ear and her team spirit is contagious. She is always very kind and humble and I can tell that she has had an influence on her co-participants because her enthusiasm energizes everyone else. That week, she was honored with 1st Prize and it was quite exciting. Seeing the pride in her smile and watching her and her friends jumping for joy, well, it really inspired me. I thought, “This is what happens when you show people that you believe in them – that you believe they can achieve.” I am positive that she will be another Food on Foot success story soon.

-Laura

A BIG thank you to Jay Penske, Petra Olsson and the team from IDPG for their sponsorship of the Sunday November 11th serving.

Food on Foot is an opportunity to assist those who are helping others who choose to help themselves through a layered program that meets many needs. A Sunday meal, to working for weekly gift certificates, to a rewards program for earned efforts and attitudes, to ultimately self-sufficiency.

I like the simplicity and motivation of the program. How tried and true concepts apply to every one of us. From the donors paying to volunteer, to those who receive assistance earning it through actions, to the patience work and love of the co-workers donating their Sundays without fail.

I love the serving line, when a person shares a special event with you like it is their birthday and you can sing or wish them a happy birthday. I enjoy most the rewards meetings afterward the Sunday line serving. It’s special seeing the pride, happiness. and joy the workers have for being recognized for their efforts.

-Nancy

Food on Foot means making a real difference in people's lives.

The best part about Food on Food is meeting the people you are helping. Hearing their stories and their struggles -- looking them in the eye and giving them a smile.

My son Evan, 4, was handing out chicken and he seemed to brighten as many lives as the food.

-Jeff

I moved to LA recently from NY and have been looking for a cause that provides a meaningful connection. It gives me great pleasure to work with an organization that treats homeless people with respect they don't often receive and their appreciation makes my week. Seeing the same faces each week as they move up in the Work for Food program is so meaningful.

-Tracy

I was really looking for someway to give back to the community and when my brother mentioned what he was doing I jumped at the chance to get involved. I really liked what I saw the first time I went. I felt like there was hope for these people who were standing in line. We are not just giving them a meal for one day, we are giving them a chance at being self supporting. That is such a freedom! I've been telling all my friends about this program hopefully some of them will get involved. It is a real privilege to be part of this.

-Sherri

I am really impressed with 601 weeks of continuous caring and giving to homeless without any government's help or funds. To me Food on Foot means a very efficient way to helping homeless by providing food and clothing for an immediate need, encourage them to work, and eventually help them to get a job.


In my view, the "Work for Food" program gives workers an opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem, so that, he/she can take step by step approach to improve his/her quality of life - get a permanent job and rent a place to live.


We all have ups and downs and sometimes being lost in our lives, and I am glad to be a part of the program to help our friends.


-Jae

What does FOF mean to me? It’s just about the sole organization dedicated to the homeless and poor in Los Angeles that is not about itself, but is about the people who it can help, and the people who want to help, plain and simple. Put another way, if FOF closed its door tomorrow, I don’t believe the volunteers would flock to one of the big government-funded charities – not that there’s anything wrong with them – but I believe they would all start a new search for a good and direct way to help the homeless and the working poor.

What I like about FOF is it’s hand to hand, and at that moment when our hands touch, we connect: yes it’s food, but it is also hope and humanity.

I noticed this from every volunteer I heard at the food line; when someone said “thank you” for the food, almost half the time the volunteers replied with “you’re welcome”. But the other half the time the volunteers said “thank you” back; an unconscious acknowledgement of the open heart which FOF nurtures in its volunteers.

-Steve

Food on Foot affords me the opportunity to, in a small way, do something productive for those who need a helping hand.

I appreciate the way the program is geared towards helping those who would like to rebuild their lives but at the same time not ignoring those who will most likely continue to live as they are.


I can not get over how most of the people say "thank you" when you hand them food or drink as you give it to them, it is almost like they think you (as an individual) are responsible for them receiving what they get. I am amazed at their appreciation for what they get, there is no sense of entitlement to them.

-Richard

I have so much respect and admiration for Food on Foot.  It offers hope for those who want a fresh start and an opportunity to do something positive, not only for the community but for the individuals that are working to get off the streets.  This amazing program is not just offering a "band-aid" on the problem but a real solution to the homeless crisis that our world is facing.

I like the fact that Food on Foot doesn't just feed the homeless but actually gives them an opportunity to get off the street by helping them get work.  The "Work for Food" program gives the workers a sense of self-esteem and belonging in a world where they are struggling to just survive. 

The first time my kids and I attended a Sunday feeding was so overwhelming.  Seeing the smiling faces of the people going thru the food line and hearing the "thank yous" made me feel so good!  Later, at the awards ceremony I was brought to tears by the gratitude of the workers as they were handed the various prizes.  I felt honored to witness such a moving experience.

-Julie

Food on Foot means several things to us; the opportunity to put the theory of people assuming personal responsibility for the less fortunate in their own community into practice--instead of waiting for the government to do something. It means the opportunity to give somebody a hand up instead of a hand out--to borrow a well used yet appropriate phrase.


It means the opportunity to make ourselves better people by taking the focus off of ourselves by devoting a few hours a month to others.
Lastly--and most importantly to us--it means the opportunity to honor God and obey his word by showing kindness to the poorest of the poor.


What we like most about food on foot is the sense of accountability and work ethic and earned reward system that the program teaches people. We also of course enjoy seeing people get off the street and reenter society with real private sector jobs -- especially since it is all done through private donations.

-David, Ginger and Taylor

Food on Foot means giving back on a personal level. It transcends writing a check. It is meeting the people that you are helping and sharing food, time and the human connection.

What impresses me most about the program it really is about helping others by giving them the tools to help themselves.

I went to this week's feeding with my teenage son who told me afterwards what a great time he had. It was wonderful to share this experience with him.

-Richard

Food on Foot is an amazingly efficient and effective organization devoted to curing homelessness in Los Angeles one person at a time.


We really like interacting with the many people who come to receive a meal and clothing and those who worked hard by participating in the Work for Food program. We also like the way the organization tries to help people find dignity in their lives by giving them both the support and the tools to step outside their difficult but familiar world.



We were really moved by the show of pride from the winners of the Work for Food effort. For some award recipients, we got the distinct feeling that was the first time anyone had ever applauded their efforts. Good for them!!!


-Robert

Food on Foot is an opportunity at a second chance. A net when all others have failed. A rock. Solid and dependable.

Food on Foot means the opportunity to give back. That our giving has a direct effect on the people who benefit from it. It is local and so are we.

It was very powerful to see some of the work for food participants, one of them has work for 154 weeks, he looked normal, smiled and seemed to like himself. Another had just completed their first week… still a long way to go, but a desire to be more…

-Sid

I think Food on Foot is a wonderful organization! It doesn't just feed the homeless it gives them hope, self esteem and a path to the future. Without these it is a never ending circle of frustrations for the people that they help. Food on foot naturally sifts through and finds the ones that want to be helped and want to help themselves and gives them a way to emerge.

-Mel

Food on Foot means to me the difference between saying "someday" and "right now." It addresses the whole human being with a firm, but compassionate hand. It creates a large enough crack in the armor of those in need to plant a seed of caring and support.

I like the awards ceremony at the end. It shows those participating in the program that their efforts are not for nothing- hard work, commitment, and attitude have their tangible benefits and rewards. It creates a practical hope.

There is not one experience that stands out, but an experience that happens every time. I find myself moved not only by the momentary joy on the face of a "winning" participant, but of the group applause from those who did not "win" this time. It is a knowing appreciation of the difficulty of being in a similar situation.

-Douglas

Food on Foot has a special place in my heart. It provides direction for people to get back on their feet. It means learning to be responsible for yourself and not giving up no matter how many times you have been knock down.


I actually get to see people getting help, guidance and support instead of an handout.


I have volunteer for several different type of organizations, and have not felt like I do when I leave Food on Foot. I feel that I will always be tied to Food on Foot in some form during my life time.


I thank you for the opportuntiy in serving Food on Foot.


Thanks, Paula

Food on Foot is an amazing grass roots operation, in Los Angeles, that is truly assisting the homeless to become productive members of society again. I've had the pleasure of being apart of Food on Foot (off an on again) since about 2001 when I used to volunteer in Venice. I have seen so many wonderful additions to the program over the years. I have also seen what a difference Food on Foot can make in the world.

What I enjoy most from Food on Foot is how it’s run like a business. It respects everyone and treats everyone equally. It makes people in the program prove that they really want to get themselves off the streets and most importantly he offers hope. People need to understand that homelessness affects us all and that we are capable of solving this issue if more people take an interest. Society needs to comprehend that many Americans are only a paycheck or two away from possibly being homeless themselves.

Food on Foot receives no government assistance. It operates solely through private donations and volunteers so I encourage others to get involved and help make the world a better place for all of us!

-Kimberlyn

To me Food on Foot is a positive way to help people help themselves. What I like most about Food FOF is that it is not a “handout”. FOF builds self esteem and
gives back confidence to those who are having a rough time.


My Son asked me what I wanted to do on “Mothers Day” and I said help at FOF.
He didn’t know what to expect. He thought we would spoon food on plates for a few hours.
He was very surprised at how different this program is. We both enjoyed ourselves. The look of pride on peoples faces as they accepted their awards (gift cards) for working on the trash crew is unforgettable.

The experience is hard to describe. We discussed the program at length on the ride home. We were amazed at the passion the organization has for helping people. The enthusiasm is contagious. The volunteer’s were supportive and the people who are helping themselves have a positive attitude that is amazing.

-Shelley

I moved to California from Arizona in September of '06 and decided to spend Christmas here in L.A. instead of going home. I had some friends who had volunteered with another charity during Thanksgiving and I decided it was time for me to start giving something back. I began searching online a number of charities and found Food on Foot and decided to give them a call and see what it was about. It was such a great experience to see the people that are in the Work for Food program and the transitions and changes they are making in their lives. Food on Foot really offers people a chance to make those changes in their present situations rather than enabling them to remain homeless, hopeless, jobless etc...


What makes the experience most meaningful for me is the opportunity to be of service to those people that truly want that change in their lives and to see them on that path. I believe Food on Foot gives people the tools they need in order to make these changes. Listening to the amazing stories of some of the graduates like Douglas Greene and Stephanie Schwelder really shows the truth in that. I am honored to be a part of Food on Foot.