Project Angel Food is one of the most popular organizations to volunteer with in Los Angeles and after spending a day with them I understand why. The nonprofit, which makes and delivers free meals for those with life threatening illnesses like HIV, cancer and kidney failure, has an incredibly well-organized and efficient volunteer program that can accommodate individual volunteers or groups who want to give back.

Organization: Project Angel Food  |  Location: Hollywood  |  Price: Free to volunteer

Most volunteers will work in the kitchen helping the chefs with a variety of projects like chopping vegetables, which is what I did, cooking, baking, mixing and packaging up meals. But don’t worry, if you can’t cook, which I can’t, there’s something for you to do in the kitchen where you’ll be helping and making a difference.

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For those who prefer to work in other areas of Project Food Angel, you can request to be placed in the office where you’ll assist with essential tasks like photocopying, data entry and mailings.

Project Angel Food heavily relies on volunteers and without them the organization wouldn’t be able to serve their clients who desperately depend on the nutritional meals the nonprofit provides at no cost.

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An estimated 11,000 healthy meals are made each week at Project Angel Food and more than 11 million meals have been cooked and delivered to date, which couldn’t be done without the help of volunteers.

What I loved about Project Angel Food is that anyone from the age of 14 can volunteer, you don’t need special skills, it’s a really fun, positive environment where volunteers are valued, cleanliness is a high priority–the kitchen is sparkling, there are strict sanitary guidelines everyone must follow and you really do make a positive impact in the community. Because of volunteers, people with serious health issues don’t have to worry about how they’re going to grocery shop or cook, instead they can focus on healing.

Project Angel Food and its fleet of do-gooders instill hope, love and comfort for thousands daily. It’s a beautiful place to be a part of and I can’t recommend it enough.

Tips: Volunteers must arrive promptly at 8:00am for Project Angel Food orientation, your shift is over at 12:30pm, maybe even sooner if all duties are finished, there’s a free parking lot in the back of the building, volunteer slots are usually full on Fridays so reserve in advance if you want to work on that day, and hairnets, gloves and aprons are required at all times in the kitchen area. All will be provided upon arrival.

Video by: Aaron Zimmerman

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Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been serving the LA community since 1973. Currently 1.4 million people in LA experience food insecurity, meaning they’re unsure where their next meal will come. According to the LA Food Bank site, the organization has distributed more than 1 billion pounds of food to people in need and volunteers are always welcome.

By: Mario Rivas

I recently had the chance to volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (www.lafoodbank.org) as part of “Studio Day,” during which employees from across the entertainment industry’s major studios come together to help. TheLos Angeles Regional Food Bank acquires food and other products and distributes them to needy people through charitable agencies or directly through programs, as well as conducting hunger education and awareness campaigns and advocating for public policies that alleviate hunger.

My volunteer event was held at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank distribution center in the city of Commerce, just south of LA. It’s a (very) large warehouse. The objective was to put together boxes (or “food kits”) for seniors in LA County. Each kit contained pasta, fruits and vegetables, milk, peanut butter, and other essentials. As this was the 5th year for “Studio Day,” the event was well-attended and well-organized. TheLos Angeles Regional Food Bank event took place on a Saturday morning and I was able to park in the warehouse’s parking, but there was ample street parking as well. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank had bathrooms and water was provided. We arrived around 9, were given a brief introduction and orientation, and were then assigned to stations along an assembly line-type operation.

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There were 8-10 lines. I was at the end of one doing QC, which involved checking that every box had the right items in it, taping it up, and stacking it in palettes. The event lasted about 2 ½ hours. There was some chit-chatting with fellow Los Angeles Regional Food Bank volunteers early on in the day, but there really was no stopping once we got going! (Although people were encouraged to take brakes and hydrate as needed.) It was definitely very physical, but also very satisfying, and quite eye-opening to see the scale of the operation and to think that this process must be repeated week after week.

I’d definitely recommend volunteering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and will be interested to go back during one of their “regular” volunteer ops.

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TreePeople is an environmental non-profit based in Los Angeles, CA dedicated to planting and caring for trees, harvesting rainwater, and renewing the city’s depleted landscapes. With headquarters located in a park atop Mulholland Drive, the group has frequent volunteer activities across LA County.

By: Mario Rivas

The two most common volunteer opportunities are tree plantings and tree care. In each instance, groups ranging usually from 10-30 people get together and are guided by TreePeople staff to either plant new trees in designated areas–which can be in the surrounding hills, or in local neighborhoods–or care for existing vegetation and/or previously planted trees. (They also occasionally do restorations in areas affected by wildfires.)

Having volunteered with TreePeople for over 12 years, I like that it’s a very hands-on experience. LA can seem like nothing but a sprawl of buildings and freeways, so it’s fun to get out there and get your hands dirty–literally–and know you’re bringing back some much needed greenery to the city.

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To sign up, first visit TreePeople’s website at www.treepeople.org/calendar where you can see what events they have. You MUST register through their website to attend one of their events. Plan on an early start (usually between 8-9AM) and leave time for driving, as some of the events can be on the outskirts of the city. Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. I also recommend wearing waterproof shoes–if you have rubber boots, take them–as you’ll be around lots of water and mud (trees need lots of water).

You’ll also be handling shovels and other equipment, so consider the physical demands. Nothing that needs to be done is so strenuous that it cannot be done by an average adult, and with lots of volunteers around, it’s easy to share tasks, but it IS a physical endeavor. The volunteer outings usually last between 2-4 hours, depending on distance, how many people there are, and what needs to be done. TreePeople provides all the on-the-spot training and tools needed, and usually bring snacks and water, but consider packing your own, just in case. The staff is always friendly and helpful.

There are volunteer projects throughout LA so parking depends on where the volunteer assignment takes place. Same with bathrooms. There are no porta potties so be sure to ask if there are nearby public restrooms to use.

All in all, TreePeople is a wonderful way to give back while experiencing the outdoors, and it’s amazing to see the photos on their website illustrating how much impact the group has had across the city.

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For over 20 years, Food on Foot (www.foodonfoot.org) has been assisting the homeless around the Hollywood area by providing nutritious meals, clothing, work opportunities and ultimately the transition to full-time employment and life off the streets. It is a 100% donor and volunteer driven organization.

By: Mario Rivas

As a volunteer, you help distribute food and clothing to up to 200 poor and homeless people in Hollywood. (Children ages 6 and up are welcome to attend.) You will also get a chance to meet and hear stories from the homeless participants in our Work for Food program. Through this program, Food on Foot helps the homeless leave the streets with a life-skills education, a full-time job, housing they can afford, and the confidence needed to make their accomplishments long-lasting.

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One of the things that I like about volunteering at Food on Foot is how hands-on it is. Volunteers take positions along a food line and you hand out items as people come along. As gets pointed out before the distribution begins, not everyone there is technically homeless. Many people are families hovering on the poverty line for whom even one hot meal a day can make a huge difference. FOF hands out an assortment of food items, including fruits and vegetables. There is also donated clothing, which people are welcome to take. At the end of the distribution, volunteers stick around to watch as the homeless who are part of FOF’s Work For Food program are rewarded. Every week, someone is chosen as the worker of the week, and there’s also a worker of the month. They’re given gift cards and eventually–if they’ve demonstrated real commitment, work ethic, and punctuality–FOF helps them transition into actual jobs. I myself have been present to see members of the Work For Food crew “graduate” into real paying jobs and even off the streets and into their own apartments, which can be very emotional.

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Volunteering takes place every Sunday from 3:15pm to 5:00pm at their serving location in Hollywood (1625 N. Schrader Blvd) and REQUIRES a $25 donation per person, which covers the cost of food that will be distributed that day, as well as food gift cards and prizes given to the top workers in FOF’s Work for Food program. Parking is available on site (tell the Work For Food member you’re there to volunteer), although street parking is also available. To volunteer, sign up at FOF’s website, but keep in mind their opportunities DO FILL UP weeks in advance, so plan accordingly.

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