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Weekly meals for students and shift workers in Los Angeles

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

Anywhere in the world2,006 views
Yu Dan Cheng
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Los Angeles
Since 2023, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Monday from the back of the parish hall. We started with 10 families, and now we feed 347 each week. Donations have dropped by about 50% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 10 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Los Angeles market and keep every receipt. Each $55 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 $2,750 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,700 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $450 • Baby formula and diapers: $280 • Refrigeration and electricity: $320 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure. - Yu

Updates from Yu

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  • Noriko Asuka Kaneko 🇯🇵 · $10

    “Praying for you. I'm in Osaka, thinking of you. - Osaka”

  • Ren Abe 🇯🇵 · $25
  • Nancy Jepkoech Mwakyusa 🇰🇪 · $200
  • Janet T. Stevens 🇬🇧 · $75
  • Daniel G. Paredes 🇲🇽 · $25
  • Bello Paul Coker 🇳🇬 · $19

    “Thought of Yu all day after reading this. - Epe”

  • Bryan J. Macaraeg 🇵🇭 · $75

    “Wish I could do more. Small amount but sent with love. - Bacoor”

  • Anonymous 🇲🇽 · $50

    “Stay strong! - Coatzacoalcos”

  • Owen P. Page 🇺🇸 · $10

Reviews

2.5(6 reviews)

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

  • Na-young Da-eun Lee🇰🇷Verified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Gerrit Sem Hoekstra🇳🇱Verified helper
    Delivered on promises

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Khadija Yetunde Mba🇳🇬Verified helper
    Exceptional service

    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.

  • Bola Favour Hassan🇳🇬Verified donor
    Made a real difference

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Usain L. Campbell🇯🇲Verified helper
    Really cared about my situation

    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.

  • Reem Rasha Wahba🇸🇦Verified helper
    Restored my faith in humanity

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

Questions & comments

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  • Chioma Folake AdebayoQuestionPhoto verified

    How is Yu doing now?

    • Hang in there. Shared it with a few friends. I hope September is when things finally get easier. Thinking of Los Angeles

      • Seema E. GuptaPhoto verified

        Keep going. I hope things turn around soon. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Greetings from Taguig

        • sending love, Yu. Your post was clear and honest. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend.

          • Hang in there, Yu. Shared it with a few friends. Love from Red Deer.

            • Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Yu

              • Yu Dan ChengOwnerAnswerPhoto verified

                It's all in the list in the story. rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale) is the big one at $1,700, I'll post a receipt when it's paid. Good question.

            • hope you get there. We're a small family in Aberdeen but we're thinking of you. Thinking of Los Angeles!

              • Sending good thoughts. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Love from Gdynia.

                • Take care, Yu. Hope you get there. Greetings from Üsküdar

                  • Thanks for sharing this, Yu. Hope this works out for you. My neighbor in Mérida donated after I showed her your page. Love from Mérida.

                    • reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. I went through something like this 3 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Los Angeles.

                      • rooting for you. This could happen to any of us. We're a small family in London but we're thinking of you. All the best.

                        • hang in there, Yu. More neighborhoods should do this. I have a 5 year old who wants to send good wishes too.

                          • Thinking of you and your family, Yu. More neighborhoods should do this. Put this on a community board in Epe this morning. Blessings.

                            • Wishing you the best, Yu. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Put this on a community board in London this morning. Blessings.

                              • Pavithra S. IyengarAddress verified

                                Good luck, Yu. Looking forward to the next update. My mother had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Love from Lille.

                                • Sending love, Yu. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. My neighbor in Manchester donated after I showed her your page.

                                  • Take care. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. We're a small family in Santa Rosa but we're thinking of you.

                                    • Hope this works out for you. Sent it to 34 people at work. Blessings.

                                      • Sending love. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Love from Rohini

                                        • Hadi MaaloufPhoto verified

                                          Take care, Yu. More neighborhoods should do this

                                          • Indira S. NarayananPhoto verified

                                            best of luck, Yu. Hope you get there. I hope September is when things finally get easier.

                                            • Good luck, Yu. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Don't give up.

                                              • Hope it all works out, Yu. More neighborhoods should do this.

                                                • Sathi Maliha IslamPhoto verified

                                                  Rooting for you, Yu. More neighborhoods should do this. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. All the best.

                                                  • Leonardo S. MontesPhoto verified

                                                    Hope it all works out, Yu. It takes guts to ask. Well done. God bless.

                                                    • Keep going. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. We're a small family in Depok but we're thinking of you.

                                                      • Wishing you the best, Yu. Shared it with a few friends. Take care.

                                                        • Christian RodriguezAddress verifiedPhoto verified

                                                          Hope things get better soon, Yu. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. I'm in public service myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Thinking of Los Angeles.

                                                          • Praying for you, Yu. Projects like this are what make a place worth living in.

                                                            • sending good thoughts. Hope you get there. Please keep us posted.

                                                              • Thinking of you and your family, Yu. Shared it with a few friends. All the best.

                                                                • Sending good thoughts, Yu. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Greetings from Cầu Giấy.

                                                                  $489 raised of $2,750

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