February 13, 2008 11:45 pm
On Gower under the Hollywood Freeway this was one of our last stops and certainly the location of the highest concentration of homeless. Overall we gave away 40 burritos last night. Here we fed sevenĀ people as indicated by the notes in the snap at right posted to Flickr plus one more not pictured on the sidewalk behind me(click image to check it out).
It can be argued that feeding the homeless with no greater purpose leaves them dependent and does nothing to enable their escape from the streets. While that may be true, what is truer for me is that moment of transition when the food goes from my hands to theirs with no agenda and no judgment. In that brief interval of giving and receiving I stand apart from a society that shuns and instead acknowledges them as humans who matter, who count, who deserve. For that short span we are brothers and sisters helping each other.


February 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I know that these burrito projects are supposed to be super secret clandetine operations and the point is to motivate people to create their own, but I have been unsuccesful in doing so as yet, and would really appreciate the opportunity to participate in this. I’m a cyclist based in Hollywood and I participate in humanitarian and bicycle advocacy all the time. But I feel shut out of the burrito project! Either way, lots of respect for those doing this, and I wish you continiued success.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
It doesn’t do nothing — it fills them up and perhaps touches their hearts a bit, too. That is definitely something worthwhile. It’s OK to not fix the big picture but to do what you can.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’m one that says help them, feed them. Give them shelter and hopefully they’ll get some ideas on how to take care of themselves.
Taking care of one who is so far off the humanity radar is the right thing to do.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Don’t forget the L.A. Free Clinic on Hollywood, between Gower and the Hollywood Courthouse. Tons of folks sleeping in front of the building.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Hmmm MA, you sure that’s the L.A. Free Clinic because the one I know of is on Beverly Blvd near to La Cienega.
Last time the burrito project rolled Hollywood between Gower and Bronson there were a couple people camped out but none around the courthouse. We’ll take a closer look next time.