Shabnam Rahbar vafaee and her husband, Pedram “Peter” Sharokhi, today announced an initiative to bring free, high-quality meals to unhoused residents of Skid Row, one of the most densely populated concentrations of homelessness in the United States. The effort is led by the Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community and rests on one belief: food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Los Angeles continues to face a deep homelessness crisis, and hunger is one of its most immediate and least visible costs. For people living on the streets, a reliable and nourishing meal can be hard to find. Rahbarvafaee’s initiative aims to change that by mobilizing neighbors, volunteers and local resources.
Porter ranch, California, United States, 26th Oct 2026 – Shabnam Rahbar vafaee and her husband, Pedram “Peter” Sharokhi, today announced an initiative to bring free, high-quality meals to unhoused residents of Skid Row, one of the most densely populated concentrations of homelessness in the United States. The effort is led by the Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community and rests on one belief: food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege.
Los Angeles continues to face a deep homelessness crisis, and hunger is one of its most immediate and least visible costs. For people living on the streets, a reliable and nourishing meal can be hard to find. Rahbarvafaee’s initiative aims to change that by mobilizing neighbors, volunteers and local resources.
“Nobody should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, least of all in a city with so much abundance,” said Rahbarvafaee. “This is not charity for its own sake. It’s about dignity, and about ordinary people discovering they can be part of the solution.”
Building an Ecosystem of Compassion
Rahbarvafaee describes her mission as going beyond one-time acts of giving. Her goal is a sustainable ecosystem of compassion that connects surplus resources with the people who need them most. By bridging that gap, the Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community invites everyday citizens to take an active role in addressing hunger rather than watching from a distance.
The initiative focuses on three principles:
Quality: Meals should be nutritious and prepared with care, not an afterthought.
Access: Food is offered freely and without conditions, to meet people where they are.
Community: Local residents, families and organizations are invited to participate, so the effort grows through shared ownership.
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A Shared Commitment to Fairness and Dignity
The announcement reflects the values the couple shares. Sharokhi, a Porter Ranch resident, is committed to the belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in school, regardless of financial background. He sees education as one of the most powerful tools for building a better future and is dedicated to removing the unnecessary obstacles faced by students in underprivileged communities.
“Supporting students and feeding people in need come from the same place,” said Sharokhi. “It’s about fairness, dignity and investing in the next generation. When you’re able to help, you should step forward and share your success with others.”
Together, the couple see hunger and educational inequity as connected challenges. A child who goes without food struggles to learn, and an adult without stability has fewer chances to rebuild. Their combined efforts reflect a belief that meeting basic needs is the foundation for opportunity.
How to Get Involved
The Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community welcomes participation from individuals, families, businesses, faith groups and civic organizations. Ways to help include volunteering to prepare or serve meals, donating food or supplies, sponsoring a distribution, or spreading the word to bring in new supporters.
“You don’t need to be an expert or have unlimited resources,” Rahbarvafaee added. “You just need to care enough to show up. Every meal says to someone, ‘You matter, and you are not forgotten.’”
About the Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community
The Shabnam Rahbarvafaee Community is a Los Angeles-based, volunteer-driven effort founded on the conviction that food is a human right. Led by Shabnam Rahbarvafaee, it mobilizes local communities to provide free, nutritious meals to people experiencing homelessness and builds lasting networks of compassion that turn neighbors into active participants in ending hunger. Learn more at shabnamrahbarvafaee.com.
About Pedram “Peter” Sharokhi
Pedram “Peter” Sharokhi is a Porter Ranch resident dedicated to ensuring that students in underprivileged communities have the same opportunities to succeed in school as their peers. He leads with purpose and compassion and believes that those who are able to help should share their success with others. Learn more at https://pedramsharokhi.com/.
Media Contact
Organization: Shabnam Vafaee & Peter Shah Foundation
Contact Person: Shabnam vafaee
Website: https://shabnamrahbarvafaee.com/
Email: Send Email
City: porter ranch
State: california
Country: United States
Release id: 50201
View source version on King Newswire:
Shabnam Rahbarvafaee and Pedram Sharokhi invite Angelenos to help provide meals to people
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