Actor, musician, and activist Jaden Smith has publicly shared a deeply personal goal: establishing a permanent presence on Los Angeles’ Skid Row, where he can distribute free meals to people experiencing homelessness every single day.
In a recent social media post, Smith described what he called his “real dream” — securing a building on Skid Row that would serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner at no cost to those in need. The 27-year-old emphasized that the space wouldn’t just be a meal site, but also a community hub with job opportunities and an uplifting environment.
Smith has long connected his creative work with humanitarian goals. He first launched his I Love You initiative in 2019 as a vegan food truck that provided nutritious meals to unhoused individuals in downtown Los Angeles, with Skid Row as a primary focus.
“I just want to create a world where nobody on Skid Row goes hungry,” Smith said, inviting supporters and his online community to join in expanding the project. While the venture currently operates without a fixed restaurant location, Smith said he hopes community contributions and partnerships will help make the dream a reality.
Bringing Attention to Persistent Need
Skid Row is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of unhoused people, and advocates say attention from high-profile figures can help raise awareness — and resources — for longtime efforts to ease hunger and homelessness in the area.
Smith’s approach reflects a hands-on, direct-service philosophy. Supporters note he often highlights the importance of meeting people face to face and building programs that respond to immediate needs, rather than seeking publicity.
Looking Ahead
While details about timelines and funding for a permanent Skid Row headquarters remain fluid, Smith’s plan points to a long-term commitment to community service. He hopes that what starts as local support could one day serve as a model for similar efforts in other cities and potentially around the world.
Smith’s announcement continues a broader conversation about addressing hunger, homelessness, and how public figures can contribute to solving entrenched urban challenges — one meal, and one person, at a time.
