Slather, slather, spread.

Gloves on and hearts open is how you'll find all the volunteers who show up for the food redistribution on Thursdays at 4:30 pm. These volunteers gather weekly to spread joy, compassion, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need on our very own downtown streets. It's not only a time to give back to our community through nutrition, water, and the warmth of hand-knit beanies, but a time to connect as a community as well.

“It is always a wonderful opportunity to be of service every Thursday,” says a volunteer from the Thursday food distribution. Feeding people who live on the streets in downtown San Diego offers a chance to reflect on all that we have, serving as a reminder to be grateful and to stop taking things for granted. Often, even while giving food, there is a sense of receiving so much more from the experience.

Enter through the Buddha For You door and follow the laughter and light, opening the door to new beginnings, friendships, and an outpouring of hope in solidarity. Stay just to slather and spread PB&Js, join the team downtown, or both.

In the words of the revered Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh:

“Those who are without compassion cannot see what is seen with the eyes of compassion.”

The Miracle of Mindfulness, pg. 108

After spreading so much compassion and connecting with other like-minded peers, you might just be the one who ends up being nurtured and fed.