Jaden Smith Opened a Food Truck That Gives Free Vegan Meals to the Homeless
Jaden Smith marked his 21st birthday in a way that surprised a lot of people. Instead of throwing a party, he went to Skid Row with a food truck and a clear purpose. The project, called the I Love You Restaurant, was built around a simple idea: serve free, well-made vegan meals to people who rarely get access to fresh, healthy food.
Launched in 2019, the truck quickly became a regular presence on the streets of Los Angeles. There are no forms to fill out and no conditions attached. People line up, get a hot meal, and are treated with dignity. Over time, the initiative has grown into something steady and dependable, offering nourishment without questions and support without spectacle.
How I Love You Restaurant Works
I Love You Restaurant operates as a free meal service open to anyone who approaches the truck. Volunteers prepare and distribute plant-based bowls made with grains, vegetables, and other whole foods designed to be filling and nutritionally balanced. Meals are handed out quickly to accommodate long lines, especially during peak hours.
Water is often distributed alongside the food, frequently supplied through Smith’s sustainable beverage company, JUST Water. The truck itself carries a clear visual message, with “I Love You” displayed on the vehicle and packaging, reinforcing a tone of dignity and care during each interaction.
Why Skid Row and Other Neighborhoods
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Moreau36
Skid Row was chosen because of its dense unhoused population and limited access to fresh food. Operating directly within the neighborhood removes common barriers such as transportation, scheduling, or referrals. The truck meets people where they already are.
After the initial Los Angeles launch, the project expanded temporarily to other locations, including Harlem in New York City. These pop-ups followed the same model, offering free vegan meals to anyone who arrived. Each event served several hundred people in a single day, supported by local volunteers and community groups.
Pandemic Pause and Ongoing Plans
Image via Canva/RyanKing999
Operations were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic when public health restrictions limited food distribution. Smith later spoke about the difficulty of shutting down service during a time when job loss and housing instability were increasing.
When restrictions eased, he announced the truck’s return to Skid Row, where it resumed regular service using the same structure established before the shutdown. The project has since continued operating without changing its core approach.
Smith has also shared plans for a future brick-and-mortar version of I Love You Restaurant. The proposed model would allow unhoused guests to eat for free, while other diners would pay above the menu price to help fund additional meals. While the idea has been outlined publicly, no opening date or confirmed location has been announced.
Where the Idea Came From
Smith has linked the project to his early exposure to homelessness while working with his father on the film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” which was filmed near Skid Row. That experience shaped his understanding of how visible yet underserved the area is.
Combined with his long-standing commitment to veganism and sustainability, those experiences informed the structure of I Love You Restaurant as a direct food service. Since its launch, the initiative has remained focused on a single outcome: providing free, healthy meals in places where access is most limited.