ABOUT US | Our Big Kitchen Los (2024)

OUR BIG KITCHEN LOS ANGELES IS A COMMUNITY RUN,

NON-DENOMINATIONAL KITCHEN THAT PREPARES MEALS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES

In the last yearOBKLA held235 cooking sessions each producing 300 meals, engagingmore than13,000 volunteers and feeding

70,000 people in need.

Pico Union Project

Mercy Housing

Aaron's Pantry - Northridge

580 Cafe

Global Kindness

Safe Parking LA

Jewish Russian Community Centre

Student MOJO

Wisdom Circle Senior Support

Hope Gardnes

ETTA

Shabbat Kits

Ohel Sara Kitchen

Kol Israel Soup Kitchen

The People Concern

Tomchei Shabbos

Jewish Family Services (JFS)

Chabad @ CSUN

Bikur Cholim of South Bay

Safe Place for Youth (SPY)

Worthy Of Love

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Our Big Kitchen is a beacon of compassion and generosity, originating from a poignant moment in Sydney, Australia, in February 2005. The organization was founded by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin and Laya Slavin, inspired by their community coming together to help a friend who had become extremely ill. They saw a need and rose to the challenge, creating a place where volunteers could come together to cook meals for families facing food insecurity.

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In March 2020, as the world was grappling with the Covid pandemic, Yossi and Chaya Segelman felt a deep sense of responsibility to bring the ethos of Our Big Kitchen to Los Angeles. They started small, packing snack boxes in their garage, but their determination and passion inspired others to join their cause. Slowly but surely, with the support of OBKLA's Advisory Council Founding Chair Avi Hager, they built Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles into a bustling hub of activity where thousands of volunteers have come together to cook and distribute meals to those in need.

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Today, Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles is much more than just a kitchen. It's a community of people who believe in making a difference and want to bring joy, comfort, and nourishment to those who need it most. It's a place where volunteers find a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing they are making a positive impact in the world. It's a testament to the power of the human spirit.

In June 2022, the Feder Family gifted Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles a stunning 4,600 sq ft space at 8657 W. Pico Blvd, which now serves as a symbol of hope and a tribute to the strength and resilience of Margaret Feder.

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Margaret's story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to endure even in the most trying circ*mstances. Growing up in Hungary, she lived a joyful life with her family until the tragedy of the Holocaust struck. Margaret, her mother, and her grandmother were sent to Auschwitz, where they were forcibly separated. Despite the unimaginable atrocities she faced, Margaret found the strength to survive by working in the camp's kitchen, putting in 14-hour days, and sharing what precious little food she had with her family and fellow prisoners.

The Margaret Feder Our Big Kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food for those in need. It's a sacred space, a memorial to Margaret, her mother Chaya, and all the victims of the Holocaust. As volunteers come together under our roof, they carry on Margaret's legacy of hope and compassion and bring light to a world that can sometimes seem so dark.

At OBKLA, we believe that food has the power to bring people together, breaking down barriers and uniting us as one community. That's why we're so grateful to have a diverse group of supporters – from generous sponsors to the hard-working staff and volunteers to dedicated community members and an independent Board of Directors – all working together to make OBKLA a reality.

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Comprised of experts from the business world, legal profession, and community organizations, our Board serves as a cornerstone of our organization, providing guidance and oversight to ensure that OBKLA continues to make a meaningful impact on those in need. With their expertise and commitment, we can ensure that OBKLA remains a thriving, effective, community-based organization for years to come.