The Mikhuna Peruvian Food Truck, which will be stationed at Trucks-Giving. Image courtesy Mikhuna/Facebook.

In 2019, Peruvian food truck owner Karla Flores teamed up with the city to present Trucks-Giving, a Thanksgiving-time event that offered people experiencing homelessness the chance to come grab a free hot plate from local food trucks.

In a statement given about the inaugural event in 2019, Flores expressed that she hoped Trucks-Giving could be more than a one-off. She got her wish.

On Friday, Nov. 19, 11 food trucks will be stationed at 14th Street Park in the Washington Neighborhood from 5-8 p.m., giving away meals to people experiencing homelessness. Free meal tickets for those experiencing homelessness have been donated to local service organizations such as the Mental Health America of Los Angeles, Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, Century Villages at Cabrillo and Christian Outreach in Action, who are distributing them to people in need.

The public is also invited to purchase food from the trucks, which will be serving gourmet burgers, Peruvian and Brazilian cuisine, BBQ, sandwiches and more, with proceeds benefiting the Mayor’s Fund to End Homelessness.

“After a hard 2020, we need to take a step back and consider not what went wrong last year, but take conscience of the many blessings we received and in turn we must give back to those who need it the most,” said Flores, who owns Mikhuna Peruvian Cuisine, in a statement.

The event, which is sponsored by 1st District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, will also have outreach workers from the city’s Multi-Service Center and from Mental Health America Los Angeles on site to help people who may need services and to hand out hygiene kits and clothing for those who need them.

The area will have tables and chairs in the park for people to sit and eat; A DJ will also be onsite playing music.

Participating food trucks include:

Trucks-Giving will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19 at 14th Street Park on 14th Street between Pacific and Chestnut avenues.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct title of Mental Health America of Los Angeles.