Meet LaRayia Gaston of Lunch On Me in Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaRayia Gaston.

LaRayia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been feeding the homeless for 14 years. Just two years ago I started Lunch On Me, a nonprofit that focuses on mind, body, spirit, and Wellness for the homeless. We serve organic foods and host free yoga and reiki classes. We believe Wellness in all areas is vital to permanent healing for those experiencing the trauma from living in poverty. Sustainably is important and redistributing nutritious food that would otherwise be wasted has helped us feed 10,000 people per month. As a grassroots nonprofit we’ve been able to achieve great things within our community.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most difficult challenge we face, would be the fact we are not government funded -meaning donations and fundraisers keep us going.

We also have been operating all of our programs without a central location of our own.

Please tell us about Lunch On Me.
Lunch on me isn’t just about food. We are a Los Angeles-based non-profit dedicated to ending starvation while providing opportunities to enrich the mind, body and spirit of LA’s homeless community.

Lom brings nutritious and organic meals to skid row six days a week, every week, and now reaches 10,000 people a month. We redistribute organic food that would otherwise be wasted in order to create delicious and quality meals. Our past and current initiatives also include yoga classes, community parties and healing gatherings for women. We believe that radical self-love is the foundation for permanent healing

We are most proud of the fact that we are changing lives, reminding our Skidrow family that they are not forgotten. We see the changes daily. When we go and feed our street family lines up excited for their greens. We are proud to offer consistency and support. I personally am proud that I am able to follow through with my vision and watching it come to life.

We are the ONLY nonprofit that focuses on organic foods. That sets us apart. We feed our Skidrow family exactly what we eat and they appreciate us for that. We expose them to meals and programs that they have never heard of and they love it.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Being at the lake with my Grandmommy. All the work I do for others is because I had such a selfless role model to look up to.

Pricing:

• Every $5 donation will provide a 3-course organic meal to someone in need.

Contact Info:

• Address: 401 S Lafayette Park Place #406
  Los Angeles, CA, 90057
• Website: www.lunchonme.org
• Phone: 818-357-9114
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lunchonme
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/lunchonmechallenge
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lunchonmela
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/GgpriH2xNJ
• Other: https://www.crowdrise.com/lunchonme

Image Credit:
Jam-X and Khalid

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.