Long lines can be seen down the block as a Southern California food vendor serves up free food to the homeless in downtown L.A.’s Skid Row.
The owner, Chris Bailey, posts TikTok videos under the handle @kloverkinglosangeles, which have gone viral as long lines awaiting his food can be seen stretching down the block near 5th and San Pedro Streets.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than helping somebody in need,” Bailey said.
Every Friday and Saturday, Bailey and his crew can typically be seen cooking fresh hot meals that are given to homeless residents who stop by.
“It’s a blessing for the soul,” said Darlene Tillett, a Skid Row resident. “It’s a blessing.”
Bailey said they serve hundreds of free meals each day and rely on the generosity of their social media followers for donations. He is thankful for the fierce support he’s received from locals, including some who have even dropped off free food when he’s running out of ingredients on a busy night.
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Street food vendor Chris Bailey speaks to KTLA about serving free meals to Skid Row residents. (KTLA) -
A crew members cooking up a hot meal for Skid Row residents. (@kloverkinglosangeles) -
A crew members cooking up a hot meal for Skid Row residents. (@kloverkinglosangeles) -
Long lines wrap around the block as hungry Skid Row residents await Chris Bailey’s free meals. (KTLA) -
Chris Bailey’s crew serves up food to homeless residents in downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. (KTLA) -
Long lines wrap around the block as hungry Skid Row residents await Chris Bailey’s free meals. (KTLA) -
Street food vendor Chris Bailey posts a video to his TikTok profile where he receives donations and community support. (@kloverkinglosangeles) -
Long lines wrap around the block as hungry Skid Row residents await Chris Bailey’s free meals. (KTLA) -
Chris Bailey’s crew serves up food to homeless residents in downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. (KTLA) -
A thankful resident speaks to Chris Bailey and KTLA’s John Fenoglio about her gratitude for the free meals. (KTLA)
“We’ll have three or four people pulling up at a time with water, buns, hot dogs, hamburgers,” Bailey said of generous strangers. “I remember the first time I came out here. We were here until midnight and the food [deliveries] just kept coming — DoorDash, UberEats. The TikTok supporters, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.”
Bailey said he was compelled to give back to the community as he also once struggled with addiction and homelessness in his young life.
“A lot of people don’t have empathy for the homeless, so it’s awesome to see somebody else step up,” said Sandy Jackson, a Skid Row resident.
Jackson said she had fallen on hard times and generosity like Bailey’s can be lifesaving.
“Half of us, like me, are not drug addicts,” Jackson explained. “I’ve just fallen on bad luck. We’re all human. We all make mistakes.”
“Food is love, said Fanny, a Skid Row resident. “I thank them for blessing us and I appreciate everything they’ve been doing and they do it with love. They came down here with love and we we thank them.”
Bailey said he’s looking to expand his operations and eventually launch a nonprofit organization to feed even more residents who may be in need.
“You live every day but you only die once,” Bailey said. “So I’m just trying to make this a purpose-filled life.”
Donations to Bailey’s operations can be made on his GoFundMe page or through his TikTok profile.