Shopping’s FREE: A Year of Dignity, Choice, and Community
In 2024, Home-y Made Meals launched Shopping’s FREE, a community-driven initiative designed to provide essential items to our unhoused neighbors while respecting autonomy and dignity. What started as a vision at the beginning of the year became a movement by year’s end, with two impactful events that reaffirmed the power of choice, respect, and mutual care.
Held at Creating Justice LA Peace & Healing Center in Skid Row, Shopping’s FREE provided an alternative to traditional donation drives—giving individuals the ability to select the items they needed most. Rather than pre-packaged supplies, we curated a wishlist based on direct community requests, ensuring every item met a real, expressed need. Through the generosity of our supporters, we distributed high-demand essentials such as blankets, underwear, socks, phone chargers, baby wipes, and toiletries.
Beyond providing material support, Shopping’s FREE created a warm and welcoming space for connection. Participants not only received essentials but also enjoyed hot homemade meals, including a fresh, hearty chili soup lovingly prepared by the Home-y Made Meals operations team. This nourishing meal brought comfort and joy, reinforcing the spirit of care and community that defines our mission.
At our second event, the impact of Shopping’s FREE extended even further. The space became more than just a place to receive essential items—it became a community hub where families felt safe and supported. Kids hung around, playing freely, simply being kids, knowing they were in a space where they were cared for. Parents trusted that the community would look out for one another, creating an atmosphere of safety, mutual respect, and belonging.
In just a year, Shopping’s FREE grew bigger than we ever imagined. The success of both events highlighted the impact of listening to and empowering our unhoused neighbors—meeting immediate needs while affirming personal agency. More than just distributing goods, we built a space where dignity, care, and community flourished.
The overwhelming support from our community—through donations, volunteering, and advocacy—made Shopping’s FREE possible. As we look ahead, we are committed to building on this momentum, ensuring that every event we host upholds the values of autonomy, dignity, and compassion.
From all of us at Home-y Made Meals, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are creating a future where care is not just given but shared.
