Volunteers of the Week

Volunteering here really helps put in perspective how lucky most of us are just to have food every day and a roof over our heads. There are many people out there who aren't so fortunate, and are too often ignored by society. Food on Foot is truly amazing because it gives homeless people more than just a handout, it offers them a second chance. I'm proud to devote my time and money into such a well-organized and good-hearted program.

A big Thank You to Bob Welsh & Lori Stein and friends for sponsoring the Sunday June 21st serving.

A big thank you to the Braun family and friends for sponsoring the Sunday June 14th Hollywood serving in celebration of Eric's graudation from UCLA.

A BIG thank you to Paul Hechmer and everyone from Nuveen Investments for their sponsorship of the Sunday June 7th Hollywood serving.

Food on Foot to me is an example of helping people to help themselves, inspiring them to want a better life for themselves, and giving them the tools and structure to create that life and maintain it.

I like the fact that Food on Foot is not just a hand-out program, but offers people a chance to drastically improve their own circumstances and their self-esteem. I also like the fact that it is run like a business, and that from the beginning the people benefiting from the program are treated like adults who have choices, and are given incentives to keep coming back and working hard.

This past Sunday I attended the Food on Foot feeding for the first time, and was honored to hand out hot dinners during the feeding, and McDonald's gift certificates at the awards ceremony afterwards. Seeing the looks on the faces of the people as they heard their named called to come get an award for their efforts was so fantastic. Their eyes lit up as everyone else cheered for them. It inspired me to remember all of the things I have to be grateful for, and to be as supportive of the people in my life and their achievements.

-Aomawa

To our family, Food on Foot means there's hope in this world, for everyone. We like that the program is more than a handout, that it offers a way to change. I had the honor of handing out the prizes at the awards ceremony. I remember hugging the recipients and feeling their delight and their pride in being acknowledged for their hard work.

-Jane, Tess and Raphael

A BIG thank you to the parents, students and teachers from Hollywood Schoolhouse for sponsoring the Sunday May 17 Hollywood serving.

To me, Food on Foot means the opportunity to see and talk to the people in need. To hear their stories on how the program has changed their outlook on what they accomplish, with a little help and encouragement from others.

What I like about Food on Foot is the program itself. How it can change someone's life forever, not just with a hand out, as it not only provides the tools to re-enter society and feel a sense of self worth and pride. It is gratifying to know that they have reinvented themselves by their own hard work and merit, and not by merely receiving a charitable donation or handout. I am also impressed with the dedication and commitment that I have seen by the volunteers.

The smiles and the appreciation of the recipients, it gave me an incredible feeling.

-Nancy

BIG thank you to Tarun Inuganti, his family and co-workers from SpencerStuart for their sponsorship of the Sunday May 3rd serving.

Through volunteering at Food on Foot as a family, our kids have learned to appreciate what they have and have learned the importance of helping others. The way that Food on Foot is run is inspiring to all of us and motivates us to do everything we do better; work, school, sports, etc. We all listen carefully to the talks about why other programs don't work and how important it is to take people through a step-by-step process that helps them become self-sufficient. When we hear the heartbreaking stories of the people who find their way to Food on Foot, we are moved to give more and do more to help our fellow human beings whenever we can. When we hear about the importance of confidence and helping people believe in themselves, it helps us to see how even a small gesture can make all the difference.

FOF fills the needs of many, those with and those without. In other words FOF offers the opportunity for individuals in need. Whether the need is to lift them selves up with the help of FOF and get back onto their feet, have a warm meal, or get a jacket to keep their baby warm on these cold nights. Or maybe the need is to share the abundance that they have with those in need, FOF fills the needs of many. FOF is the means to an end like no other. FOF is truly a blessing for all who participate.

FOF works. It works for those who have immediate needs and it works for those who want to help those in need. What I like best is the way FOF produces results. FOF gets people who have the desire back on their own feet. Also, the way the $84 club is structured works perfectly for those who wish to participate.

On December 14, 2008 my 8 year old daughter Quinn and I noticed a young man trying to hold his meal and look through the women’s clothes all the while dropping his milk and water bottle. My daughter offered him a bag to consolidate his meal and I asked if he needed help finding something? He replied “yes, a friend of mine in line really needs a warm jacket actually anything warm.” Though he was without a jacket himself on this bone chilling evening his care and compassion for another in need was overwhelming. Quinn and I had helped lay out the clothes so we knew where to find a few key items sweaters and a warm jacket. This made all three of us feel great. I must say it was a priceless moment.

-Tammara

Michael and Jordan were drawn to Food on Foot because of the unique focus on the dignity of the individual being served and the emphasis on rebuilding the confidence and trust of those seeking assistance through the work for food program. Michael and Jordan are particularly moved by the testimonials of those who have had their lives dramatically changed because of their participation in the program and the spirit of Food on Foot which infects all of those who contribute to and benefit from the organization's efforts.

Food on Foot is a way for me to contribute to people who have found themselves in a less fortunate position than me.

I like the structure of the program. I like that food is give out to the hungry, but the real program seems to be the work program. I think it’s important to give them a direction & means to better themselves.

I really enjoyed hearing Paul D’s story. Hearing his story and seeing the look on his face when speaking about making through the program, getting a job in a law firm and getting his own apartment. It was incredibly uplifting.

-Howard

We came to Food on Foot the first time with a friend who has been involved with this organization and highly recommended it. We had done other community service projects through the kids' school and found FOF to be a more gratifying experience, especially for the kids. One of the reasons we are doing this is to be good role models for our kids and show them that we must give back and be compassionate to those less fortunate than us. Life is not all about us and what we need or want. We like that we get to meet the homeless, hear their stories and that the money that we donate goes directly to helping them get off the street. It is such a great feeling to see human beings who have hit rock bottom begin to gain confidence and hope and eventually success. What has moved us most, is seeing the elderly who are homeless. We are saddened that a 91 year old woman has to sleep out side alone.

-Nooshi

Very rarely do you see organizations that are committed to helping people change their lives which Food on Foot does. Handouts are important as so many people are in need, but how better to help people then to empower them and give them confidence in themselves.

-Jodie

FOF means an opportunity for me to give back to my community and to play a small, yet meaningful, role in my fellow citizens' efforts to find purpose and happiness in their lives.

What I like most about FOF is the opportunity it provides the homeless a chance to re-discover their self-esteem, and the platform it gives them (if they are willing) to create a meaningful and productive work/social life for themselves.

-Jim

FOF is the first organization I've found where my whole family can participate in a hands-on manner and know that our financial contribution is used almost entirely to feed and help the homeless.

What I like most about FOF is the follow-through! FOF helps the homeless help themselves. It's not about giving a hand out.

We take our two boys, ages 8 and 5, to Food on Foot. We've been thrilled to watch the enthusiasm and compassion they are developing each week, their excitement for the progress of the participants, and how happy they are for the winners of the 'rewards' portion of the program.

-Rachel

A BIG thank you to the Granow family and friends for sponsoring the Sunday March 1st Hollywood serving.

A BIG thank you to Eugene Costello and friends for their sponsorship of the Sunday Febraury 22nd Hollywood serving.

FOF is a chance to be with my son in an activity that adds value to the lives of others. FOF helps to add an important balance to my life and those in my family. We are more blessed than the average family, and need to recognize that good fortune.

I like that one can easily see the success stories; the evidence is clear. I also like that the clients must take the responsibility for changing their own life. Instead of just feeding the clients, which is a short-term aid, the program helps them learn again how to "fish" on their own.

My son is always with me at the servings, and quite often the clients will engage him by his name and start a brief conversation with him. Just last week, he had on his New England Patriots hat, and one of clients gave him a hard time about this season… In essence, the feeding really helps one to see that they are real human beings with much to offer. Most of us head to the other side of the street when we see a homeless person, but Food on Foot helps us to better understand their plight and the chance for them to exit to another and more productive life.

-Greg

A BIG thank you to everyone from Leo Baeck Temple for their sponsorship of the Sunday February 8th Hollywood serving.

A BIG thank you to Dr. Pierre Joven and friends for sponsoring the Sunday February 1st Hollywood serving.

FOF is an opportunity to give to others what at times seem so freely given to us.

What I like most about FOF is that the organization affords the homeless a chance to actually change their circumstances.

The look in the people's eyes when they graduate to the next a level is the greatest gift, my son and I received far more than we gave.

-Asher

Food on Foot means an opportunity to give back to the community and to share any blessings that I'm given with others in need.

I love that Food on Foot is not just about feeding the homeless, but it's really about giving people a second chance and giving them the tools to get their life back on track.

My best experience at Food on Foot so far was seeing Paul Mills graduate. How amazing it is to share in the experience of someone who has worked so hard finally reach their goal!

-Kat

A BIG thank you to Tracy Fitzgerald & Cori Vallembois for sponsoring the Sunday January 11th serving.

Food on Foot is an opportunity in being a part of providing hope to the community that is seeking to level up. It also gives the volunteer a chance to multiply his donation (and fulfillment) by taking other actions such as providing moral support, feeding the hungers and more.

What I like most about Food on Foot is it's brilliant program creates a true opportunity and hope that is hard to find anywhere else. It provides a unique path. It opens up a special communication to help others who lost their hope and happiness. It lets you be a part in proving a light to the people that are in the dark.

After my second time volunteering with Food on Foot, I was impressed to see that many of the people that are in need are coming back and they are serious about improving their life. By the end of the day I felt that I will be back and will maximize my efforts to be a part of this family. I urge everyone who is debating where to contribute, to try Food on Foot and experience a different level of contribution; to feel the actions of your donation.

-Josef