Skip to content
HelpBLESS
Join free
Browse needsPeopleFeedDonationsHow it worksPost a needSign in
MoneyFood & hunger

Help Ai keep the Bread & Beans Kitchen pantry stocked

Help keep a free food pantry open for families and seniors in San Jose.

🇺🇸 United States3,529 views
Ai Meng Li
Email verified
San Jose
Since 2019, our volunteer team has run Bread & Beans Kitchen every Monday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 10 families, and now we feed 112 each week. Donations have dropped by about 31% this rainy season, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 6 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the San Jose market and keep every receipt. Each $50 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $3,200 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $2,100 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $550 • Baby formula and diapers: $550 Thanks for reading all this. - Ai
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Ai

No updates yet. Supporters are notified when the owner posts one.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Anonymous 🇬🇷 · $869
  • Girish F. Karandikar 🇮🇳 · $250
  • Armando J. Acosta 🇺🇸 · $250
  • Urvashi B. Deshpande 🇮🇳 · $250
  • Nadia Reem Nassar 🇪🇬 · $100
  • Gabriele Mia Groß 🇩🇪 · $100
  • Elena Richardson 🇬🇧 · $80.50

    “Hope it all works out. My brother told me about this one. - Liverpool”

  • Shazia Qureshi 🇵🇰 · $78.50
  • Joaquín Mendoza 🇦🇷 · $75
  • Dua Anum Jilani 🇵🇰 · $75
  • Marta F. Quintero 🇨🇴 · $75
  • Matteo Carlo Gallo 🇮🇹 · $75
  • Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $75
  • Sneha T. Chavan 🇮🇳 · $73
  • Tatiane Bruna Teixeira 🇧🇷 · $50

    “Keep your head up. Thought of Ai all day after reading this. - Rio de Janeiro”

  • Samanthi Zoysa 🇱🇰 · $50

    “Every little bit. Hope you get the rest soon. - Galle”

  • Juan F. Villanueva 🇵🇭 · $50
  • Delilah L. Hawkins 🇳🇿 · $50
  • Umesh G. Rawat 🇮🇳 · $50
  • Mason N. Gregory 🇺🇸 · $50

Reviews

3.0(4 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Julian F. Phillips🇺🇸Verified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Alexander A. Brooks🇳🇿Verified helper
    Patient and understanding

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Huda Ines Rahman🇪🇬Verified helper
    Would recommend to anyone

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Nonso Abubakar Eze🇳🇬Verified helper
    Quick response, great follow-up

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

Questions & comments

Ask before you give. Email-verified members can comment and ask questions - no donation needed.

Sign in or create a free account to join the conversation.

  • Nathalie PoirierQuestion

    is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Ai.

    • Ai Meng LiOwnerAnswer

      The list at the bottom is the whole picture. rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale) is the biggest at $2,100. Appreciate you taking the time.

  • Soledad L. Orozco

    Hope it all works out, Ai. Hope this works out for you. Take care.

    • Duha Huda Nassar

      Hang in there. Hope this works out for you. Sent it to 8 people at work. All the best.

      • Hussein Qasim Haddad

        Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. I'm in farming myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Thinking of San Jose.

        $4,099.50 raised of $3,200

        Give

        More people who need help