When Disaster Strikes, Compassion Prevails: Here’s How Vegans Are Rallying for Los Angeles Fire Relief
Deadly, catastrophic fires have caused unprecedented destruction in Los Angeles—but all across the city, compassionate individuals and businesses are finding strength in the face of hardship, banding together to offer shelter, resources, and unwavering support to those in need. While the city and its residents grapple with tremendous losses, one thing is clear: Kindness unites us all.
How L.A.’s Community Is Getting Vegan Love During a Disaster
Los Angeles’ vegan community is serving as a beacon of hope by offering meals and supplies to firefighters, other first responders, and evacuees. Here’s a sample of vegan outreach supporting those in need:
- PETA delivered urgently needed supplies of vegan lip balm, wipes, and water to the Los Angeles Fire Department in Echo Park, ensuring that firefighters stay hydrated and cared for.
- Support + Feed, PETA’s 2020 Company of the Year, founded by Maggie Baird (mother of Grammy Award–winning artist Billie Eilish), is distributing nourishing climate-friendly meals in collaboration with Beyond Meat and local favorite Cena Vegan.
- Pura Vita restaurant in West Hollywood is offering free pizza for firefighters.
- Dear Bella Creamery in Hollywood is giving first responders a free scoop of its delicious ice cream.
- Vegan soul food truck Compton Vegan is serving free mac bowls for first responders. Check its Instagram pages for schedules and locations.
- Sugar Taco locations in Long Beach and Melrose are providing free burritos for firefighters and displaced residents, along with water bottles, protein bars, and baby supplies. Visit their online ordering platform to sponsor a hot meal for someone in need.
- Yoga-urt’s locations in Echo Park, Glendale, Granada Hills, and Santa Monica are providing free soft-serve bowls, smoothies, and other treats for firefighters and first responders. Community members can also sponsor Yoga-urt’s donations to evacuees and families who’ve lost their homes.
- Firefighters, police officers, and other first responders can get a free meal on the house at vegan Mexican eatery El Cocinero Restaurant in Van Nuys.
- Vromage Cuisine in West Hollywood is serving free pizza sandwiches for firefighters.
- In Brentwood and Marina del Rey, Planta is providing free to-go meals for first responders and those affected by the fires.
- Vegan Los Angeles–based meal delivery service Meal Ticket is offering healthy vegan meals to firefighters, other first responders, and evacuees. Folks can donate to help cover food costs here.
Many other vegan establishments across Los Angeles are stepping up. Check social media to see if your favorite restaurant is offering free meals or specials to support the community.
Support for Dogs, Cats, and Other Animal Companions in Need
Some evacuation orders came suddenly, leaving many people unable to return home to rescue their animal companions. Caring individuals immediately jumped into action, creating social media pages and Excel spreadsheets to help the countless guardians eagerly hoping to be reunited with their beloved companions. Kind companies are offering food and resources, too.
- PETA Business Friend and dog food brand V-dog has collaborated with local groups to distribute dog food to evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center.
- Vetster, a veterinary virtual care platform, is offering free online appointments with licensed veterinarians for guardians whose animal companions are feeling ill or need medication. Visit the Vetster online help and support resource to set up an appointment.
- Animal shelters across Los Angeles have taken in thousands of displaced animals needing housing and veterinary care. Thankfully, fosters are lining up in droves to make space for animals who need safe havens. Contact your local shelter today if you’d like to keep an animal safe and make room for animal fire evacuees.
Other Ways You Can Help
In times of crisis, compassionate actions keep communities afloat. Even if you aren’t affected by the fires, now is the perfect time to spread kindness. Treat your neighbor to a vegan meal, bring a donation to your local vegan community fridge, and encourage your friends and family to take PETA’s 3-Week Vegan Challenge. Learn more about how you can conserve water, lower your carbon footprint, and protect the planet by going vegan—and then inspire others to do the same! Remember: Your fellow animals, including humans, need you.
If you live in Los Angeles and want to support wildfire victims, here are some ways you can make a difference:
- Contact your local shelter to find out what’s needed. Many shelters urgently need foster homes and supplies.
- Donate vegan nonperishables to food drop-off locations such as the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Dream Center, La Cañada Congregational Church, and the LA Galaxy.
- Drop off fresh food at one of the city’s 15 community fridges.
- Visit the LA Fire Mutual Aid Resources website for volunteer opportunities, donation drives, and more.
Compassion lights the way forward in times of crisis and every day. Whether by supporting first responders, fostering animals, or donating to those in need, every act of kindness makes a difference. Together, we can help Los Angeles recover and make the world a better place.
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