Lady LUX

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and many families are busy compiling the essentials to create the perfect feast. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to forget about the millions who do not have the luxury of eating a wholesome meal and enjoying this festive holiday.

Food on Foot is one of the many anti-hunger organizations shedding light on this sad reality and aiding those less fortunate by serving them a hot and hearty meal. In exchange for a donation, Angelinos can volunteer to join the organization’s anti-hunger crusade and serve meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Founded in 1996 by Jay Goldinger after handing out meals to the homeless from the trunk of his car, Food on Foot has operated as a volunteer-based, non-profit organization for the last 15 years providing food, living essentials and assistance as clients transition into employment and life off the streets.

Every Sunday at 3:15 p.m., Goldinger and his crew provide hot, nutritious chicken dinners from El Pollo Loco, plus snacks and drinks to as many as 250 homeless and poor families and individuals. Held in Hollywood, Food on Foot also provides gently used clothing and other essentials. With a cost of $4.60 per meal, the blind, disabled and individuals of all ages and backgrounds are given help. To date, Food on Foot has completed 872 consecutive weeks of food service.

The nonprofit doesn’t just help out with the hunger problem; it offers the tools for the same people who may need more than a meal to experience long-term progression and improvement. Since 1999, Food on Foot has offered Work for Food, a 7-day-a-week community trash clean-up program helping to initiate the transition of getting off the streets and into the workforce by picking up trash in return for $10 fast food and grocery store gift cards.

“Food on Foot has served the same meal at the same location at the same time for many, many years. Consistency breeds trust, trust breeds confidence. And that's what Food on Foot is all about! Please consider getting involved in this unique and personal response to hunger in Los Angeles. You too can make a difference,” states the Food on Foot Facebook page.

Through much word of mouth after 15 years in business, celebrity support was bound to happen within the Hollywood area. Neil Patrick Harris has supported Food on Foot as a Celebrity Jeopardy contestant, winning $50,000 for the organization in 2006 and $100,000 in 2010.

The organization uses their website, Facebook and Twitter to promote their mission, generate supporters and enable future volunteers to sign up and pay their donation online in order to serve meals.

Food on Foot has held many Thanksgiving dinner celebrations and plans to host their largest on Thursday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Not only will the homeless receive a tasty meal on Thanksgiving but also a brand new sleeping bag and bag of bus tokens. In December, volunteers will be able to return and serve Christmas meals.

Consider giving back this holiday by signing up at your local food bank or homeless shelter to help those less fortunate.

To learn more about Food on Foot and sign up to volunteer, visit www.FoodOnFoot.org or follow the organization on Facebook.com/FoodOnFootLA and Twitter.com/FoodOnFootLA.

Tagged in: causes, hollywood, nonprofit, thanksgiving, nonprofit organization, homeless, hunger crisis, meals, food on foot, anti-hunger campaign,