Over multiple shifts, Elon in LA students helped prepare and deliver meals to local area non-profits and directly to community members in need.
Students at Elon University Los Angeles stepped up to make a real difference in the heart of Hollywood this month. As part of Elon in LA’s new community engagement initiative, launched by director Brad Lemack, these dedicated students, filled with enthusiasm and a desire to give back, volunteered their time and energy to support the Hollywood Food Coalition.
Over multiple shifts, they helped prepare and deliver meals to local area non-profits and directly to community members in need. Their experience was nothing short of transformative, filled with music, laughter and the pure joy of making a difference.
Elon students began their day at the Hollywood Food Coalition’s bustling kitchen. Armed with hairnets, aprons and an eagerness to serve, they dove right into the day’s tasks. Under the appreciative guidance of Bonnie Friedericy and Jill Kline, two inspiring women who help run the coalition, the students began chopping vegetables, cooking meals and assembling lunch bags.
One of the most impressive feats of the weekend was the distribution of 2,500 lunch bags on Sunday afternoon. This monumental task required coordination, teamwork, and a lot of elbow grease.
The students organized an efficient assembly line, with each person assigned a specific role. Some filled the bags with nutritious sandwiches, fruit and snacks, while other students packed them into boxes for delivery.
“It was fun seeing people come together and get stuff done for the community,” said Carter Craig ’26.
In addition to delivering meals, the students took the time to chat with recipients, offering a friendly face and a listening ear. These interactions were filled with warmth and humanity, and reminded all participants how important giving back truly is.
Bonnie and Jil’s leadership was an inspiration to everyone involved. Their passion for helping others was contagious, and they made sure that the students felt valued and appreciated for their contributions.
The impact of the students’ efforts extended beyond just the meals they prepared and delivered. By volunteering their time and energy, they helped to create a ripple effect of kindness throughout the community. Their actions not only provided immediate relief to those in need, but also inspired others to get involved and make a difference.
With such positive results, Elon in LA staff can’t wait to continue partnering with the Hollywood Food Coalition as the program aims to expand its reach within the greater LA community. Elon in LA is excited about the commitment to public service and staff can’t wait to see what service opportunity awaits students next.
For 16 years, Elon University has offered academic programming and internship opportunities for students in domestic National Campus locations, starting with Elon University in Los Angeles, under the umbrella of Study USA and the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, in 2008.