About Us
Guided by the principle of planetary oneness, we understand that the choices we make today ripple across ecosystems, communities, and future generations. By promoting plant-based solutions, we honor the intrinsic connection between human health, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship.
We are more than a food bank—we are a movement. A movement committed to dismantling systems of inequity that perpetuate hunger, harm, and ecological destruction. Through community partnerships, education, and direct action, we aim to empower individuals to embrace a compassionate lifestyle that nurtures all living beings.
Join us in reimagining a world where food unites us, not divides us; where abundance is shared, not hoarded; and where animals are friends, not resources. Together, we can cultivate a future rooted in love, sustainability, and collective well-being.
Where to Find Us
2208 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
At the corner of 23rd and Union Ave.
8 am – 10 am, every third Thursday of the month (Jan-Oct).
Nov-Dec TBD.
The lines are long so get there early as we cannot guarantee food availability for everyone in line.
Mission
The mission of the Vegans of LA Food Bank is to provide nutritious, plant-based food to our communities, while promoting planetary unity and advocating for the right to healthy meals for all families.
We believe that nutritious food is a birthright, and that everyone should have access to healthy, sustainable food that excludes animals. The Vegans of Los Angeles food bank is a solution to those who are experiencing the challenges of meeting their basic dietary needs.
Everyone deserves healthy fresh food. We are committed to building healthy, compassionate communities. The Vegans of LA Food Bank celebrates nutritional abundance and food entitlement as a birthright.
The planet comes fully equipped with food and no human should ever go hungry. We provide hope, dignity and respect to those desiring to provide quality food for their families during transitioning times in their lives.
Vision
Our vision is to create a world where access to nutritious, plant-based food is a universal right, and where no one has to choose between their health and their finances.
We believe that a healthy, sustainable planet starts with healthy, sustainable communities, and that by providing access to nutritious, plant-based food, we can help build a better future for all.
We envision a world where everyone has access to healthy, sustainable food that supports their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, and where individuals and families are empowered to make choices that support their health and the health of the planet. We are committed to creating a more compassionate, equitable, and sustainable world, one meal at a time.
Meet The Team
Gwenna Hunter,
Founder/Executive Director
Gwenna Hunter, founder of Vegans of Los Angeles and creator of the first Vegan Food Bank in the city, made history in May 2022 with starting the first vegan food bank in Los Angeles, California and also as the first Black woman to establish a brick-and-mortar Vegan food bank in the country. Her journey into veganism was sparked by a supernatural awakening, a dream where she shared consciousness with a cow, realizing the depth of their emotions and awareness as with all animals. Since adopting a vegan lifestyle in February 2016, Gwenna has been a dedicated activist, working to reshape beliefs around animal treatment and food choices. Through the Vegans of Los Angeles Food Bank, she aims to provide not just food abundance as a birth right but also hope, light, and dignity to our communities, partnering with Hope on Union to increase food security.
Avaion Ruth,
Director of Health Promotion
Avaion Ruth is a graduate student and research assistant at the University of Southern California passionate about the interdependence of food security, nutrition, and human development. He has experience working on various food justice projects across Los Angeles, including the Vegan Outreach COVID-19 Emergency Food Aid Program and the VegansofLA Food Bank. Avaion holds a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention studies. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and yoga.
Paige Parsons Roache,
Communications Director/Producer
Paige is a social justice advocate who has been promoting eco-veganism for the past 8 years. After her daughter went vegan at 13 years old, Paige watched “Cowspiracy” and went vegan for environmental reasons. Soon after, she attended a pig vigil, which solidified her commitment to animal rights. For six years, she worked as Producer, Senior Booker and Communications Director for the UnchainedTV global streaming network and is co-host of the cooking show “Plant Based in the ‘Burbs,” showcasing simple plant-based recipes. Her communications promotions, public relations, and marketing work spans over 25 years, working with various non-profits to bring their projects to the public forefront. Contributing to the Vegans of Los Angeles food bank for the past year and a half, Paige supported the nationwide media launch, as well as helped with the foundational aspects of the multiple food banks around the city.
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