Lunch on Me (LOM), a nonprofit that serves thousands organic meals to the homeless on Los Angeles’ skid row, provides much more than food. Founder Larayia Gaston has built a community for collective mind, body and spiritual wellness. In addition to the meals—created from redistributed organic food that would otherwise be wasted—LOM provides yoga classes, healing gatherings and “Love Without Reason” community block parties that offer free haircuts, manicures and music.
With full bellies, full hearts and a tightknit community of people who care, Gaston believes LOM provides a foundation for permanent healing to the 10,000 people a month they service in LA. And she thinks her model can be replicated all over the world. Lunch on Me New York just launched, and we can’t wait to see how her incredible work changes subway culture.
24Life spoke with Gaston about the evolution of LOM and how small acts of kindness can make a big impact. Read on for immediate inspiration.