Soup Kitchen
The Hospitality Kitchen (aka The Hippie Kitchen)
Days: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and 4th of July.)
Time: 7:45am - 12:45pm (If you arrive after 7:45, and we already have enough volunteers you may be turned away.)
Hospitality Kitchen
821 E. 6th Street (at the corner of 6th and Gladys)
House: (323) 267-8789
Kitchen: (213) 614-9615
Driving Directions to Kitchen
We are always looking for new volunteers to help us prepare and serve meals at our kitchen. You should wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind spilling some beans on. If one or two people want to volunteer, come on down. If three or more want to volunteer, please call our house (323) 267-8789 to schedule a day for you.
We do not except volunteers working for school service requirements during the month of December.
Our soup kitchen, known commonly on the street as "The Hippie Kitchen" is located in the central city ghetto of L.A.’s Skid Row. With over ten thousand homeless, poor and marginally employed residents, this area, with it’s numerous street encampments and rescue missions, has been dubiously nominated "the homeless capital of the nation."
I have a delicious recipe for beans. If it is okay with you I would like to share it with you.
You will have to adjust for a large quantity. I think I can provide the spices.
Cooked White Moroccan Beans (or Pinto beans)
1 Large Pot:
1 lb. White Beans or Pinto Beans
Cover with water and soak overnight. Then throw out the water from the beans. Cover the uncooked beans again with fresh water and cook for about 1½ hour. Check the beans every ½ hour to see if more water needs to be added.
1 Sauce Pan:
1½ Tbsp Virgin Olive Oil
4 Cloves Fresh Garlic
½ Can Tomato Sauce
¼ Cup Fresh Cilantro Finely Chopped
½ Tsp Ginger Powder
½ Tsp Black Pepper
½ Tsp Cumin Powder
2 Cubes Beef or Chicken Bouillon
1 Pinch Saffron (Yellow)
1 Tsp Salt (To Taste)
Cook about 8 minutes. Add sauce to beans after they have cooked for 1 hour. Continue cooking.
Beans should be firm Beans should be soft and tender. There should be enough sauce.
The recipe should not be too dry, soupy or spicy.
Comment by Corinne Chipres — 6/27/2005 @ 7:07 pm
thank you and keep up the good work .the world needs more people like you guys
Comment by jerry segat — 6/17/2006 @ 10:17 pm
Hello Catholic workers! Just wanted to say how much fun I had volunterring during the summer. I had a blast. I’m actually trying to find a date where I can bring a group of volunteers from my community service organization to come and help the kitchen. Hope to see you all soon.
Sincerely
Patty
Comment by Patricia Nunez — 9/13/2007 @ 3:00 pm
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful service you all provide. I’m so glad that the meals are so nutritious and tasty. I go back for seconds and sometimes thirds, so kudos to you all. Maybe I can volunteer sometime; I’ll let you know (and I would be happy to do so).
Comment by Jon Nuanez — 3/28/2008 @ 5:19 pm
My father and I volunteered on 3/29. Everyone at the Kitchen was friendly and made us feel very welcomed. I will definitely come back within a month to volunteer with friends. I am a teacher and the Student Council moderator at St. Pius X school in Santa Fe Springs. I am always looking for for something for my students to get involved in. Unfortunately, my students are too young to work in the Kitchen, but if you need donations (can goods, blankets, jackets…), please do not hesitate to contact me.
Comment by Tricia Cotroneo — 3/30/2008 @ 12:06 pm
[...] activity. I first discovered the meditative quality of food preparation while interning at the LA Catholic Worker, and I find pulling weeds to be equally quieting. Yesterday morning was the best “me” [...]
Pingback by Church of the Urban Garden « mustard seed musings — 8/24/2009 @ 3:38 pm
Hi this is Jack, I am one your regular patrons, I the one who usually goes to the Gregorian Chants at the Hospitality House.
I just wanted to take the time to express my heart felt thanks and appreciation for all your service to so many needy people.
Such love and compassion is so hard to come by in the world today. Truly, your loyalty and dedication to the easing of suffering is exemplary and heart-warming.
More than any facility in or around the Skid Row area, the Hippie Kitchen is by far, the most recommended place to eat.
You fine people go out of your way to cook, transport and lovingly serve an incredible amount of food, not to mention all of the others service to you provide us.
This is all things that you do not have to do, but do it anyway. It saddens me sometimes, that some people don’t even appreciation what you do for them, but you faithfully do your part.
A lot of us homeless people however count your organization as a true blessing.
I know that I speak for many when I say “Thank You”.
Your brother in Christ,
Jack Hornbeck
“Feed my sheep” - Jesus
Comment by Jack Hornbeck — 11/19/2009 @ 1:28 pm
I just wanted to let you know that few folks and I from JustFaith had the honor of serving at the Hippy Kitchen a few years ago. It left an impact on my life. A small group of started a program, Many Meals of Camarillo, in July 2009, serving a hot meal for 31 people. We are now serving over 100. They are now mostly regulars and families in need. We also have a free clothes give-a-way every three months. If you want to learn more about us go to manymealsofcamarillo.org. Peace and blessings, Pat Yost
Comment by Pat Yost — 5/12/2010 @ 4:24 pm
I absolutely adore this soup kitchen. It’s one of the only places where I can come in unannounced, as long as I’m on time, and help out anyway I can. The Hippie Kitchen serves hundreds of people every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday based on the generous donations of the community and city. I’m grateful that there is a place like this in existence and hopefully I can come in again and help out one of these Saturdays.
May all the Catholic Workers be blessed and loved
Comment by Linda Nkemere — 12/25/2010 @ 12:30 am
I had the honor of working alongside other volunteers for the first time last Tuesday. I live near Detroit, Michigan and was visiting a friend in LA. We prepared a hardy lunch of lentil soup, salad, toasted bagels and chocolate milk. Doing a variety of tasks throughout the morning and circulating among the guests in the garden during lunch gave me a first look at the ministry of the soup kitchen. A visiting group from Seattle was doing pedicures. The presence of Dorthy Day could be felt in the camaradie of the volunteers. The picture of Fr. Dan Berrigan which greets volunteers reminded me of his joyful witness to the incarnation of peace and love in our troubled world. Thank you Catholic workers! You truly labor in the Lord’s vineyard.
Comment by Bob Orr — 1/21/2011 @ 10:02 am
Such a great job you are doing - what a blessing it must be to the hundreds you bless every week. God Bless you and everyone who is involved!
Comment by Catherine Kumar — 7/19/2011 @ 6:41 pm