It’s been a difficult start to the year for Los Angeles. There are three wildfires currently burning (Palisades, Eaton, and Auto) across the region, and seven more have been contained. The fires have currently left almost 90,000 households without power and forced more than 150,000 people to evacuate their homes. Right now, 27 people are thought to have lost their lives.
In the midst of tragedy, a powerful sense of community is shining through. Across LA, people are stepping up to help those in need—from animal rescue groups taking in displaced animals to food banks supporting victims. Vegan businesses are playing a vital role, too, offering free meals, clothing donations, pet food, and more to evacuees, firefighters, and first responders who are working tirelessly to keep the fires at bay. Below, we’ve highlighted 25 vegan businesses that are going above and beyond to support the LA community during this crisis.
It’s Important to note that this list is not exhaustive, but it showcases some of the incredible generosity and resilience on display across LA right now. Keep an eye on social media for updates on local businesses near you that may be offering support for those in need. We will continue to update this list as relief efforts evolve.
Veggie Grill
1 Veggie Grill
Over the last few days, popular vegan fast-food chain Veggie Grill by Next Level Burger has been working to feed firefighters and evacuees free plant-based burgers. The chain partnered with Plant Based Treaty LA and fellow vegan business The Vegan Joint to make the donations. “Thank you to our first responders for protecting the community,” the chain posted on Instagram. “And to the many volunteers helping to support their hard work.”
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Beyond Meat
2 Beyond Meat
Vegan meat brand Beyond Meat, which is headquartered in Los Angeles County, is currently providing free meals to evacuees and first responders with the help of local businesses and organizations, including Plant Based Treaty LA, Vurger Guyz, The Concierge Kitchen, and Support + Feed (a plant-based food security nonprofit, set up during the pandemic by Maggie Baird). “It’s been amazing to see how many friends and organizations have come together to help our hometown amidst these devastating wildfires,” the brand posted on Instagram.
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Pura Vita
3 Pura Vita
Vegan Italian restaurant Pura Vita, with locations in Los Angeles and Redondo Beach, is offering free plant-based pizzas and a “moment of comfort” to all firefighters right now. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the firefighters, first responders, pilots, and all the people who are helping residents and animals in need during this horrific time in our beautiful city of Los Angeles,” the restaurant posted on Instagram. “These people are true heroes.”
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Au Lac
4 Au Lac
Downtown LA’s Au Lac also partnered with Plant Based Treaty LA alongside the Animal Alliance Network and the Animal Save Movement to deliver free food to an evacuation center in Pasadena. The vegan Vietnamese restaurant is currently asking for donations to allow it to continue delivering free vegan meals to those in need. “These are incredibly challenging times, but we remain committed to doing everything we can to support those in need,” the restaurant stated on Instagram.
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Gokoku
5 Gokoku
This vegan sushi and ramen spot in North Hollywood has also been doing its part to supply firefighters and first responders with free meals. “[We are] praying for their safety, strength, and support during this difficult time,” it stated on Instagram.
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Dr. Bronner’s
6 Dr. Bronner’s
Vegan-friendly soap brand Dr Bronner’s launched its Magic Foam Experience ( a “foam shower” event) to honor Jim Bronner, who invented fire-fighting foam. During the wildfire crisis, the experience team has been helping to gather donations like soap, clothing, and pet food to help displaced people and fire fighters in Los Angeles. “Like many of you, we’ve been watching helplessly as the wildfires have taken lives, destroyed thousands of homes & tens of thousands of acres, and displaced countless wild animals,” the brand wrote on Instagram. “In addition to our heroic first responders, so many humans have leapt up to support in any way possible.”
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Sugar Taco
7 Sugar Taco
Vegan activist and actor Alicia Silverstone recently teamed up with LA Mexican-inspired restaurant Sugar Taco to donate meals to first responders. The business is also giving customers the chance to donate a free burrito through its online ordering platform.
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Cena Vegan
8 Cena Vegan
Popular vegan Mexican street food spot Cena Vegan has teamed up with Support + Feed to donate vegan meals to first responders and people in need across Altadena. “Our goal is to be here while our city recovers,” the two organizations wrote in a joint statement on Instagram. “Not only offering hot meals but grief counseling, items for evacuees, and human interaction with those affected.”
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Meal Ticket
9 Meal Ticket
Meal Ticket is a Los Angeles-based meal delivery service that specializes in plant-based and organic meals. Right now, it has paused its regular deliveries to focus on helping firefighters, evacuees, and first responders. It’s currently asking for donations to help it meet its goal of supplying the community with 100 meals a day for as long as possible.
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Mary Ruth Organics
10 Mary Ruth Organics
Vegan supplement brand Mary Ruth Organics has been supplying victims of the LA fires with free vitamins, like liquid chlorophyll and vitamin C.
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Monty’s Good Burger
11Monty’s Good Burger
Los Angeles vegan burger chain has been supporting the community by turning its restaurants into donation hubs. It has been primarily collecting donations for local animals, who are currently being cared for by organizations like Pasadena Humane, Best Friends Animal Society, and the Stray Cat Alliance.
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Thrive Causemetics
12 Thrive Causemetics
On January 11, vegan beauty brand Thrive announced it would be donating 100 percent of its profits from that day to organizations supporting wildfire victims. These included the American Red Cross, Pasadena Humane, and Animal Wellness Foundation. “We are heartbroken by the loss, grief, and damage the wildfires have caused our community, the brand posted on Instagram. “However, we are so inspired to see the global community band together to show up for our beautiful city.”
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Compton Vegan
13 Compton Vegan
Compton Vegan, a food truck that primarily serves the greater LA region, is also offering free food to those in need. Earlier this week, it announced it would be offering all first responders free Mac Bowls.
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Mazal
14Mazal
Vegetarian LA restaurant Mazal, which specializes in Israeli cuisine, is currently offering some of its healthy vegan options to anyone who has been affected by the fires. “Sending all the love in the world,” the restaurant posted on Instagram. “Even if you just need a tiny break from all the madness and can swing it, we’re here for that.”
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Planta
15 Planta
Plant-based restaurant chain Planta has multiple locations across North America, including California. Last week, it announced it was offering free to-go meals from its Brentwood and Marina Del Rey locations for first responders and community members affected by the fires.
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Vegan A.F.
16 Vegan A.F.
Another popular LA vegan food truck, Vegan A.F. recently announced it would donate a portion of its proceeds to aid relief efforts. “Stay tuned for more updates on how you can join us in this mission,” it posted to Instagram. “Sending love and strength to everyone affected.”
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Dear Bella Creamery
17 Dear Bella Creamery
Dairy-free ice cream shop Dear Bella Creamery is also donating some of its proceeds to help tackle the fires. It recently announced on Instagram that it would give 10 percent to the Los Angeles Fire Department, and on top of this, it will also be offering free ice cream scoops to all first responders. “This is just a small token of our appreciation for our incredible first responders who risk everything to protect us during this time,” reads a statement from the Hollywood-based ice cream shop.
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Follow Your Heart
18 Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe
Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe, which is one of SoCal’s oldest vegetarian businesses, also recently posted on Instagram that it is currently offering free tea, coffee, soup, and chili to first responders across LA.
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Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli
19 Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli
Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher & Deli is currently offering free food to people in need. Both first responders and evacuees can head to the shop to order one of its signature Californian Sandwiches without charge.
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El Cocinero
20 El Cocinero
Vegan Mexican restaurant El Cocinero is currently offering free meals for first responders and any community members in need at its Van Nuys restaurant. “We want to provide as much help as we can,” it wrote on Instagram. “We are all stronger with community! Stay strong everyone!”
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Free Spirited Lounge
21Free Spirited Lounge
Free Spirited Lounge, an allergen-free, vegan-friendly sober bar in Alhambra, is currently asking for donations so it can offer free meals to people in need. On top of this, it is also accepting donations of items like masks, clothes, and bottled water, which it will pass on to local charities. It posted on Instagram: “For those that are able to give, we need your help in order to provide food to those who need a comforting warm meal after experiencing tragedy.”
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Vurger Guyz
22Vurger Guyz
Together with Tabitha Brown, popular vegan food truck Vurger Guyz has fed more than 1,000 people who have been affected by the fires. “Sending love to everyone and a reminder that we are all better and stronger together,” it posted on Instagram.
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Jamba Juice
23 Jamba Juice
Nationwide chain Jamba Juice has multiple locations in Los Angeles. In a bid to show support to the community, it is offering free bowls to first responders until January 20. It stated on Instagram that it has also donated to the California Fire Foundation.
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Lunchbox Cookies
24 Lunchbox Cookies
LA vegan cookie company Lunchbox Cookies has also been supporting people and animals affected by the fires. It recently announced it would be donating 10 percent of proceeds to the Pasadena Humane Society as well as offering free cookies to firefighters and first responders. The brand posted on Instagram: “Our hearts are both crushed by what’s happened and full after witnessing so much solidarity from donations and lending hands alike.”
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Sakara Life/Instagram
25 Sakara Life
Organic vegan meal delivery platform Sakara Life has been donating free food to frontline workers and displaced families. The brand is fulfilling donation requests made via a Google form (also available in its Instagram bio). “We will do everything we can to send them meals and bring a bit of reprieve during this difficult time,” it stated on Instagram.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
