LA Volunteer Kitchen Celebrates 1,000 Cooking Sessions

Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), which provides meals for people experiencing food insecurity, celebrated a major milestone this week: its 1,000th community cooking session.

Held at the organization’s Pico Boulevard kitchen, the evening brought together adult volunteers for a night of service, connection, and celebration, all while preparing 1,000 kosher meals for those in Los Angeles experiencing food insecurity.

The session kicked off with opening remarks from Executive Director Yossi Segelman. “When you signed up today, you thought it was just going to be a regular session. But what you probably didn’t know is that today, it’s our 1,000th session—and we’re going to be making 1,000 meals,” he told the crowd.

Volunteers suited up in aprons, hats or hairnets, and gloves before getting to work. The kitchen was divided into two teams: one shaping trays of seasoned meat into meatballs, the other chopping fresh vegetables including bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini.

Upbeat music and a cocktail bar set a festive tone, with gold “1,000” balloons floating to celebrate.

Throughout the evening, the room buzzed with laughter, conversation, and a shared sense of purpose.

Whether people came together or met for the first time in the facility, there was a strong sense of community with everyone working side by side. Once the food was prepared, volunteers carefully packaged each meal in plastic containers, hand placing every sticker and adding a personal touch toe very box.

“I am grateful for each of you who allows us to change the way that people are fed, to be fed with dignity. And because of you, over 1,000 people will be eating,” said Chani Lazaroff, Program Leader.

Before the night ended, Yossi shared the story of OBKLA’s beginnings: he, his wife Chaya, and a handful of volunteers packing and delivering meals by hand.

At the end, he personally thanked each team member and ambassador by name and all of the volunteers for being part of the journey. He surprised the crowd by bringing out a celebratory “1,000” vanilla strawberry cake, met with cheers and applause as a perfect end to the celebration.