The Los Angeles feeding project grew from both necessity and deep spiritual conviction. Los Angeles has long been a magnet for people seeking opportunity—migrants from abroad, families from poorer regions, and individuals drawn by the promise of work or creative life. Recognizing this reality, Ananda Marga first partnered with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in 1990 to support low-income families. When Ácárya Muktátmánanda Avadhúta returned to Los Angeles in 2008, he joined existing service efforts and soon initiated a new distribution program through the Food Bank, guided by a lifelong commitment to seva—selfless service—as emphasized by Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti. What began as a modest effort has steadily expanded, driven by the wish to reach more people with dignity and care.
Today, the project serves an average of 250 families each week, reaching over 400 individuals per distribution day. Beyond numbers, the human impact is deeply felt. At one early Skid Row distribution, an elderly woman shared that without this kindness, she might have already given up on life—an encounter that profoundly affirmed the purpose of the work. For Dada Muktátmánanda, service is not separate from spiritual practice. Karma Yoga, Jñána Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga together form a balanced path, and service plays a vital role in awakening love, purifying the mind, and nurturing collective consciousness. As he reflects, intellectual ideas alone do not change society—consciousness does, and service is one of its most powerful catalysts.
The feeding project stands as a living expression of Dharma in action. Society, like any complex machine, has imperfections; love is the oil that keeps it moving forward. When individuals offer time, care, and sincerity, even simple acts—sharing food, listening, showing respect—become transformative. This work reminds us that humanity is one family, and that compassion strengthens both giver and receiver. With courage, simplicity, and shared responsibility, the future remains bright, and each act of service becomes a step toward a more just and humane world.
