The Healing Plate

Affordable housing and homelessness

City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

We are addressing the critical and often overlooked intersection of homelessness, hunger, and health. Individuals experiencing homelessness face high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition, yet they rarely have access to meals that meet their specific dietary and medical needs. Most food relief efforts offer one-size-fits-all solutions, which can unintentionally worsen health conditions. Our initiative recognizes that food is not only a basic necessity but also a key component of healthcare, and aim to deliver meals that are both nourishing and medically appropriate. Ensuring no one has to choose between hunger and health. Without proper nutrition tailored to their conditions, many unhoused individuals struggle to manage or recover from illness, leading to repeated hospitalizations. By integrating dietitians into our meal planning and delivery, we bridge a vital gap between food access and healthcare, supporting long-term wellness.

This grant will support the targeted meal program that provides personalized, medically appropriate meals to individuals experiencing homelessness. Working in collaboration with licensed dietitians, we assess the specific health needs of each participant—such as diabetes, heart disease, food allergies, or malnutrition—and design meals that align with their dietary requirements. The program operates through community outreach, mobile meal delivery, pop up kitchens in Skidrow or other impoverished areas and partnerships with local shelters and clinics to ensure that food reaches individuals where they are. In addition to meals, we offer basic nutrition education and wellness check-ins to empower participants with knowledge that supports their long-term health and recovery. We will also track clients and participants, building a health profile, and eventually getting them to appropriate physicians.

Los Angeles County will see a healthier and improved management of chronic conditions and reduced emergency healthcare visits. A well-balanced diet plays a crucial role not only in improving physical health but also in supporting mental and emotional well-being. Proper nutrition can help regulate mood, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhance cognitive function—factors that are often severely impacted in individuals experiencing homelessness. By addressing nutritional deficiencies and stabilizing physical health, individuals are better positioned to engage in mental health services, substance use recovery, and other supportive programs. This foundational stability can ultimately empower individuals to regain a sense of self-worth, build trust in systems of care, and move toward long-term goals such as employment, housing, and independence. In this way, food becomes more than sustenance—it becomes a gateway to healing, hope, and lasting transformation.