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MoneyFood & hungerCritical

Help Harsh keep the the Sunday Shelf pantry stocked

Help keep a free food pantry open for students and shift workers in Los Angeles.

🇺🇸 United States3,062 views
Harsh L. Bhatia
Email verified
Los Angeles
Since 2023, our volunteer team has run the Sunday Shelf every Friday from the back of the old library basement. We started with 29 families, and now we feed 139 each week. Donations have dropped by about 56% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 12 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Los Angeles market and keep every receipt. Each $30 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $3,650 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $2,300 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $680 • Baby formula and diapers: $380 • Refrigeration and electricity: $290 I never thought I'd be the one asking, and I'm grateful for every bit of support. - Harsh
#food-pantry#hunger#volunteer-led#food

Updates from Harsh

  1. Good news. Because of your gifts ($1,370 in total) I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  2. Quick update: $506 raised so far (14%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Joost Van der Horst 🇳🇱 · $250

    “Wishing you the best. Thought of Harsh all day after reading this. - The Hague”

  • Vinod A. Varma 🇮🇳 · $200
  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Bruno Manoel Monteiro 🇧🇷 · $100
  • Madhu M. Sidhu 🇺🇸 · $74
  • Hellen Eunice Lyimo 🇹🇿 · $66
  • Anonymous 🇬🇧 · $50
  • Tâm Phương Chau 🇻🇳 · $50

    “Take care of yourselves. I'm in Nha Trang, thinking of you. - Nha Trang”

  • Arnel N. Galang 🇵🇭 · $50
  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $50

    “All the best. Hope you get the rest soon. - Warangal”

  • Eugene N. Robinson 🇬🇧 · $50

    “Sending love. My brother told me about this one. - Leeds”

  • Jomar A. Hernandez 🇵🇭 · $50
  • Vivian Juliet Lawal 🇳🇬 · $50
  • Dmitry Maksimov 🇺🇦 · $50

    “Thought of Harsh all day after reading this. - Kyiv”

  • Christian T. Soriano 🇵🇭 · $50
  • Patrick G. Knight 🇬🇧 · $45.50
  • Gopal B. Raju 🇮🇳 · $40.50
  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $39.50
  • Ramon W. Castillo 🇺🇸 · $34
  • Maria Claudia Munteanu 🇷🇴 · $30

    “You got this - Iași”

Reviews

2.5(6 reviews)

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

  • Victor Waweru Macharia🇰🇪Verified helper
    Exactly what I needed

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

  • Sandeep Ram Newar🇳🇵Verified donor
    Practical and effective help

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Efe Mercy Nwosu🇳🇬Verified donor
    Exactly what I needed

    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.

  • Daan Erik Hoogland🇳🇱Verified donor
    Reliable and compassionate

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

  • Damilola Blessing Anyanwu🇳🇬Verified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Pietro Francesco Conti🇮🇹Verified donor
    Trustworthy helper

    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.

Questions & comments

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  • Manuel G. Alcantara

    sending love, Harsh. Shared it with a few friends. It's not much but it's yours.

    • Meseret Eden AlemuPhoto verified

      Sending love, Harsh. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. Thinking of Los Angeles.

      • Greyson M. Hicks

        More neighborhoods should do this. Love from Dwarka

        $1,776 raised of $3,650

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