#Hashtag Lunchbag across Los Angeles

Expand existing program

There are 60,000 people experiencing homelessness throughout the County of Los Angeles, and upwards of 32,000 people experiencing homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. The Living Through Giving Foundation is committed to reaching all 60,000 Angelenos experiencing homelessness via our #HashtagLunchbag program. #HashtagLunchbag hosts a monthly event in which we build and provide nutritious meals and notes of encouragement to fellow Angelenos experiencing homelessness, and connect residents of the city to volunteer opportunities. The monthly #HashtagLunchbag events and by request corporate activations strengthen and connect the Angeleno community. In addition to addressing food insecurity and providing meals to people experiencing homelessness; the program also inspires volunteers to learn more about the social crisis of homelessness, raises awareness on solutions to address food insecurity and homelessness, and motivates volunteers to serve. #HashtagLunchbag connects all Angelenos.

#HashtagLunchbag is nearing its 8th year of connecting Angelenos from across the Los Angeles metropolitan area at monthly events. On average, the organization creates and distributes approximately 1,600 meals to people experiencing homelessness, via single day events hosted each month. We seek to increase our impact and expand our capabilities by increasing the number of meals and number of events, in order to reach a wider demographic and square mileage. Our meals are currently distributed around Skid Row. If selected to receive funding, we will expand our distribution area to include Central LA and the Westside. #HashtagLunchbag is uniquely suited to take this on because our programs have a proven service delivery model and sustainable impact. #HashtagLunchbag seeks to increase its service capabilities to meet the rising need to address food insecurity throughout Los Angeles, especially for people experiencing homelessness.

Our impact is to address food insecurity, feed a large number of people experiencing homelessness in the LA area, and connect LA residents through a fun and interactive experience. Collectively, #HashtagLunchbag inspires and empowers the community to further implement their service driven mindset and increase their community impact of giving forward in their lives, outside of our events. We seek to bring awareness to our community, to inspire fellow Angelenos to live with a standard of good, unique in its own right.

At each event, we maintain records of the number of meals distributed, the number of volunteers who participate, and the amount of donations received to help cover the cost of food and supplies. In Los Angeles, on average, we create and distribute approximately 1,600 meals with the support of 150 volunteers each month. Our social media networks reach tens of thousands of individuals who engage with us. Many folks have expressed interest in joining events, with the hope that meals would be distributed in areas near their own homes, such as beach cities, mid city, Hollywood, Koreatown, and around downtown Los Angeles.