Nikole Meade stepped up with local nonprofit No Res Gourmet to help feed those impacted by January 2025 wildfires.
Senior Sustainability Consultant Nikole Meade stepped into the role of volunteer at the beginning of the Los Angeles wildfires with a social media post inquiring about making donations and looking for volunteers. That post led her to No Res Gourmet, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending food insecurity. The organization was collecting food donations and preparing meals for LA wildfire relief.
What began as a simple donation drop-off quickly turned into Nikole volunteering for 10 to 12 hours daily on the weekends with the organization.
“I was moved to offer to volunteer if they needed help. I jumped right in and ended up on the No Res operations team,” Nikole explains.
For two weeks, No Res prepared meals to distribute to local shelters, first responders and anyone else in need. Members of a nearby church also assisted No Res in putting together kits filled with essentials.
With the help of Nikole and the rest of the No Res Gourmet team, what was once a small operation preparing food on site with one chef transformed into a multi-location operation. Hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life showed up daily to help where they were most needed, forming a lasting bond and a sense of community during this challenging time.
“We had volunteers coming from all over LA helping with whatever was needed,” says Nikole. “There were caravans of people going out to evacuee shelters and wherever first responders were posted.”
No Res Gourmet served thousands of chef-prepared meals to displaced families and first responders during the height of the LA Wildfires — and they are still providing meals to people in need.
“I’m grateful for the bond I’ve built with the community I met through No Res,” says Nikole. “To be of service during something that was so personal is a memory that I’ll carry with me forever.”