Volunteers of the Week

A BIG thank you to Richard Breitengross and his group from Los Angeles DOJO for their sponsorship of the Hollywood serving on Sunday June 22nd.

Food on Foot is a people to people organization - not an impersonal bureaucracy. As a donor I know where my contributions are going and I can meet the people who are being helped. I like the philosophy of inspiring people in to believe in themselves. Food on Foot gives those in need the chance to work and feel pride in their ability to help themselves and others.

My wife and daughter were with me at the first feeding I attended. It's a great experience for young people. It helps them feel empowered and learn that they can help out and make a difference in the world. I appreciated the opportunity for my daughter to share in this outreach.

-Hap

Food on Foot gives my son and I an opportunity to spend time together doing something that makes a difference in the world.

The first feeding we attended was Thanksgiving last year. I remember handing an apple to a woman in line who then gave me a toothless smile and said, "Thanks anyway, sweetie, but those are a little too hard for me to eat." She seemed to appreciate the gesture, but she was telling it like it was. I think a lot of times society and the government end up offering homeless people things that don't do them much good. Food on Foot figured that out a long time ago. Food on Foot provides something that everybody needs -- real hope that tomorrow will be better than today.

-Don

Food on Foot is a chance for me to connect with LA's poor working class and homeless population in a meaningful and fulfilling way. The stories shared by the program's working crew of past obstacles, current progress, and most importantly, future dreams are painstakingly honest and relatable to everyone on a very human level. They hold up a mirror to our own lives and offer a different set of eyes with which to see the ways we can assist our community, and in turn ourselves. The Sunday servings enjoin the volunteers and homeless in a common goal of improvement, and send a strong message of hope, without which we all would be lost. It's a good time.

-Danielle

A BIG thank you to Herme Chua and his group from JD Power & Associates for sponsoring the Hollywood serving on Sunday June 1st.

Food on Foot shows what a results oriented privately designed and administered program can achieve. For me it sets an example about what we need more of in our society. Too many of us have become dependent on government being the solution which is a format that is wasteful and has proven not to work.

I like that the people who are in the program understand the rules about what it takes to be successful and are very thankful for the help. They do not have a sense of entitlement and do not have a chip on their shoulder. They realize that they are being given a chance to recover and they take it seriously.

On a few occasions, I was struck by the folks in the line seeking help in that they were essentially identical to me in age, ability to speak, demeanor and intellect. This happened most strikingly with a very lucid and engaging man of about 50 years old who came from Boston many years ago, held a job for dozens of years and through a series of unrelated circumstances found himself quickly homeless. He could recite very Boston Bruin, Boston Celtic and Boston Red Sox player for decades and new the scores of games thirty years ago – but was not a normal looking man – but homeless. I was struck by how cruel the world can be if we do not find a way to take some responsibility to reach out and help those in tough circumstances so they can help themselves and be responsible contributing members of society.

-Les

A BIG thank you to Stephen Bloodworth and the parents and students from the Hollywood Schoolhouse for sponsoring the Sunday (5-18) Hollywood serving.

Today, I once again got to witness the great work of Foot On Foot in person. Unlike so many other organizations that help their clients by giving them a single meal, FOF gives its members so much more: the tools and the opportunity to work themselves out of their current situation. For the homeless in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of places where they can get a hot meal or a change of clothes, but where else can they reconnect with their own worth, their own dreams? FOF gives them that chance, the confidence and discipline that enables them to rediscover that part of themselves with which they've lost touch.

Seeing the joy and pride in Danny's eyes as he graduated the program today was all the proof anyone could ever need to understand that FOF changes lives forever. As Danny told us today, living on the streets just a few months ago, he never dreamed that he would have his own apartment or a career; today began a new phase of Danny's life. But even more profound than Danny's recovery was the hope and enthusiasm in the eyes of the other crew members, each of them so obviously yearning to join Danny in getting their lives back on track.

I spent some time today speaking with Tim (named changed), who showed up for a meal. Tim told me about his career in the Air Force, his service in the Gulf War, and how he was never able to re-enter society when he returned from combat. Unable to find work as a civilian and still troubled by his experiences in the war, he migrated to California where he thought living outside would be easier. He dreams of moving to the mid-west, where his wife still lives, hoping to return his family to the place it was before the war. When I asked him what he missed most about his life before he became homeless, he said that he loved the responsibility, knowing that if he didn't do his job well, his brother soldiers would be in peril. Tim is now in peril, and through FOF, he may reconnect with the part of himself and understand his worth to himself, to his family, and to his brotherhood of man.

-Tom

I appreciate Food on Foot's philosophy of teaching a man to fish rather than simply giving him a fish. Witnessing the awards ceremony at the end of each serving event and seeing the genuine pride people feel when being rewarded for their hard work is both moving and inspirational.

I enjoy the direct contact volunteers get to have with the poor and homeless who attend the servings. For me it is a reminder that we’re all human beings who need to treat each other with empathy, compassion, and dignity.

When I first volunteered in December of 2007, one of the crew leaders, Danny, shared his story with my group of volunteers (who happened to be my terrific colleagues from Nickelodeon). Five months prior, Danny came to Food on Foot as a homeless person. He realized that FOF was giving him a remarkable opportunity to turn his life around, so Danny tackled the work-for-food program with focused determination. Fast forward to April 2008 when an employed, self-sufficient Danny “graduated” from the program in front of an enthusiastic group of supporters, including his mother. I was so honored to be one of the people cheering Danny on. And it was further proof that Food on Foot really works!

-Deirdre

Food on Foot is an opportunity for me to give back to the community, and to feel grateful for everything I'd been taking for granted. It started as a kind of New Year's Resolution. Towards the end of last year I landed a really great job with an awesome company and I felt really blessed with this new direction in my career and life, so I promised I would return the good karma by helping those less fortunate than myself. Now it's become so much more than that. It's no longer a promise I'm fulfilling, but rather something I look forward to being a part of. It's an honor to be able to help the people who come to Food on Foot.

I attended a feeding where a little girl raised money for the program by asking all those attending her birthday party to bring a donation rather than a present. That really showed me what the program was all about, and how it affected not only those receiving the aid but also the volunteers themselves. I mean, there are no words, she was an inspiring little girl.

-Stephanie

Food on Foot is a program that is directly helping people in our community. FOF gives me an opportunity to give back and helps me recognize how much I have to be thankful for.

I like Food on Foot because it has a clear and simple mission of helping people help themselves. Food on Foot gives people a chance when it seems there are no more chances.

My most memorable experience was my first time with Food on Foot on Christmas Day in 2003 or 2004, it was the year that Daily Candy highlighted Food on Foot. There were many volunteers and many people in line waiting to receive. I remember looking at the faces of parents and children and seeing their smiles of appreciation. It touched my heart and I still talk about that day when I tell people about the great things that Food on Foot is doing for the community.

-Nancy

Food on Foot gives me the opportunity to interact with people who are so appreciative of the efforts being made on their behalf. It allows me to give of myself and my time on a personal level, and the satisfaction derived from that interaction is not measured on a financial level but on a very personal one.

I admire Food on Foot's focus on helping people to help themselves. The realization that there are people ready to support and provide guidance, to care about their plight and to extend a hand in their regaining the sense of self-respect and confidence in themselves, is priceless. By becoming self-sufficient they can go on to extend themselves to someone else in need: their example helps others to realize that they, too, can reach success. The organization is finding a solution to a serious problem that devastates lives. We can all be part of working towards eradicating "homelessness" and "hopelessness" and give the very people once desperate and in need the ability to be a beacon of light and salvation to others.

-Marianne

A BIG thank you to Tarun Inugati and the crew from Spencer Stuart for sponsoring the Sunday April 6th Hollywood serving for the third consecutive year.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve. It is a blessing to be able to engage, in your own small way, with people who need help.

What I like about Food on Foot is the brief moments you can share with the people as they go through the lines. The chance to look them in the eye, exchange a pleasantry, maybe extend a compliment.

A memorable experience was when I was handing out food in line and an older gentleman told me I had nice hair. Then he said "you know, you and I . . . aw, never mind, you're too tall . . . ." It was such a hoot, and it was a pleasure to both us to share a little flirtation. It instantly bridged the gap between us.

-Christina

To me, Food on Foot is an incredible way to give back to the community and to be part of a great program that is passionately committed to helping people and that has proven its capability to do so.

What I like most about Food on Foot is the fact that the program goes far beyond providing food and clothing to people in need—Food on Foot also gives them the opportunity to work, become independent and, most importantly, believe in themselves and in the fact that they can regain their places in society.

The most rewarding part of each feeding is hearing the success stories of people who are part of the program and are on their way to graduating from it. The first time that I heard two of the current participants' stories, learnt about the immense life obstacles that they had gone through and saw their dedication to the program and to succeeding outside of it, I was deeply moved. This is why I keep coming back.

-Maria

The thing I like most about Food on Foot is its dedication to promote personal growth through present strengths and not past weaknesses. Food on Foot does not judge anyone within its program and treats everyone with dignity and respect. In short, Food on Foot creates opportunities for everyone, regardless of their history.

-Gene

Since I came here, from Japan two years ago, I've seen many people sincerely committed to volunteering. Therefore I thought it's important for me get involved also.

I'm impressed that FOF has been serving and giving homeless people opportunities for more than 600 consecutive weeks. I respect the achievement of FOF supporting peoples path to independence.

At the serving I had chance to listen to the experiences of the crew members. I felt their confidence after completing the program.

It's a great experience for me to know the eagerness and contribution toward volunteering and non-profit activities in USA.

Food on Foot means helping people help themselves to become productive, contributing members of society as well as learning to embrace and enjoy success.

What I like most about Food on Foot is that the program is not a "hand out" and requires individuals be accountable and work hard to move ahead.

My first experience at Food on Foot was Sunday December 30th 2007. My daughter and I were lucky enough to hear Danny speak to us about his experience being homeless as well as tell us of the progress he has made in the program. We were so excited to hear this past Sunday January 20th 2008 (only 3 weeks later) that Danny was starting a job the very next day. We were so happy for Danny and actually both wondered at dinner Monday night how Danny's first day on the job was.

-Elizabeth

FOF is a simple and fun way to give back to the community. I believe that volunteers get as much from the experience as the people we help. Additionally, the program has opened my eyes to how very lucky I have been in my life. It has made me aware that homelessness can happen to anybody and that I should be grateful for all I have been blessed with.

I respect this organization because it is proactive, not reactive. Food on Foot gets to the root of the problem and truly creates change for people in need by giving their life value through accountability.

One of the most important things that I have learned from volunteering at Food on Foot is that success is just as scary as failure for the homeless. I have also learned that the volunteers set an example for the people working in the program by fulfilling our commitment of showing up on and of being on time.

-Liz

A Big Thank You to Les Granow and friends for sponsoring the Sunday February 10th Hollywood serving.

I was impressed with Food on Foot when I first learned about it – both its philosophy and its proven, practical approach for helping the extreme poor get back on their feet.

The programs that Food on Foot sponsors give their clients concrete and marketable skills for making realistic, incremental, and progressive steps – steps that can make a significant difference in many of their lives.

Altruism is the backbone of civilized societies. And it is the heart and soul of a civil and healthy local community. Food on Foot fosters a kindred spirit of empathy and altruism for both volunteers and the participants it serves.

-Alondra

Food on Foot is a way to a new beginning. It's a solution to an ever growing problem. FOF made us realize how every person's life is so close to standing in that line. FOF provides food for many but importantly this organization offers a way out of the line. It creates an environment for the homeless to build their confidence and help them get back on their feet.

-Michael and Renata Cairns

Food on Foot means actively participating in helping people help themselves.

Sara and I both loved the people we helped. They were so warm and grateful – very soulful and gracious. We also loved the awards ceremony. What a wonderful way to honor participant’s hard work. We could see the pride in their faces as their names were called.

I really loved hearing people’s stories – success or otherwise.

-Jane

Food on Foot means more than just handing out food to those in need. It is a well thought out long-term plan to rehabilitate these people living on the streets, so that they can have opportunity to make a life of their own, I found this to be inspiring and an endeavor that requires consistency, commitment, and passion.

I am deeply moved by this organization because of the philosophy it embodies, and the consistency that philosophy requires. The drive to make this happen is remarkable. My daughter Chloe's (age 6) favorite part was "seeing the smiles on the people's faces when she gave them the chicken".

The feeding we attended was eye-opening. I have seen and been around homeless people for decades in this city, but to see how varied the population is, how mainstream many of these people look, how desperate others look. Being able to make that connection, spend some time laughing with them was truly special. Chloe was struck by the fact that there were children her own age she was handing food to, including babies.

-Chris

A BIG thank you to Max Richman, his family and friends from Leo Baeck Temple for their sponsorship of the January 13th Hollywood serving.

I enjoyed my experience with Food on Foot. I was impressed with the program. I shared my experience with a lot of my friends, family and co-workers. I was most impressed by the way that a person who really wants to get off the street through hard work and dedication can turn their life around with the program. The other volunteers I worked with were wonderful and I could see and feel their joy in giving. I most enjoyed the smiles of the people we were serving -- so many of them seemed genuinely appreciative of the food, etc. that they were receiving and our efforts in distributing same.

-Natalie