Chef Kelvin Ebegboni served 300 free cheeseburgers to people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighbourhood on Saturday, as part of a grassroots food initiative he launched to support communities across the Bay Area.
Hundreds of people gathered at the corner of Jones and Eddy Streets for the Street Food Initiative event, where Mr Ebegboni handed out the burgers alongside volunteers and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Mr Ebegboni, who founded the Restoration For The Future Foundation, said cooking was the practical way he could respond to the hardship he sees around him.
“A lot of people have different things that they’re passionate about. I’m passionate about cooking, and what can I do with that passion? Serve my community,” he said.
Street Food Initiative expands across the Bay Area
The initiative began about six weeks ago and has since developed into a weekly programme operating in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. The foundation says the San Francisco events take place on Saturdays, with volunteers helping to prepare and distribute hot meals.
Its work is organised through the Restoration For The Future Foundation, a non-profit led by Mr Ebegboni which says it sources donated produce and prepares meals in certified commercial kitchens or licensed food trucks that meet health regulations. ([rffonline.org](https://rffonline.org/streetfoodinitiative/?utm_source=openai))
Mr Ebegboni said he was not seeking to solve the Tenderloin’s housing crisis, but wanted to use the skills he did have to make a direct contribution.
“Everybody in the Tenderloin can testify that there are a lot of homeless people. I’m not into real estate, I don’t know much about housing. But I’m a chef and I want to use that talent I have, the skills I have to give back,” he said.
He said the burgers were prepared with care and that the initiative was being funded largely from his own pocket rather than through a major food bank or regular public funding.
Mr Ebegboni added that he would prefer people to volunteer their time than simply make donations.
“It’s not about money. That comes and goes. But when you have people constantly on board in alignment with your mission, it goes a long way,” he said.
District attorney joins volunteers
Ms Jenkins helped distribute food during Saturday’s event and said residents of the Tenderloin deserved dignity and safety, like people living elsewhere in San Francisco.
“It is my honour to serve this neighbourhood and to make sure that those who live here get dignity and get to have safety like everyone else around this city,” she said.
“We still have a lot of work to do in this neighbourhood, but each and every day we’re committed to giving them a safe and clean home.”
The foundation said in August that it had secured a partnership with the San Francisco Service Corps Board through the Street Food Initiative, with the aim of strengthening community support and creating more opportunities for volunteers. ([rffonline.org](https://rffonline.org/publication/serving-san-francisco-together/?utm_source=openai))
Mr Ebegboni said he hoped more city leaders would take part in the programme so they could meet the people they were elected and appointed to serve.
