The People's Kitchen of San Luis Obispo

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The People's Kitchen of San Luis Obispo For more than 40 years the People’s Kitchen has provided a noon meal to the hungry in San Luis Obispo Meals were served on a rotating basis.

Prior to the creation of the People’s Kitchen, hungry people were looking in dumpsters for survival food and sharing the food with others who were hungry, homeless, and/or unemployed. Local citizens took this concept of sharing and began serving a noon meal in Mitchell Park. By the end of 1983 there were 22 different organizations participating in serving the meal. The People’s Kitchen formed a Board of Directors and became a non-profit organization in 1984. The board made a commitment to serve a hot noon meal prepared and served by volunteers every day of the year. A site for serving was a constant problem, with no one wanting the clients the program served in their neighborhood. Many properties were researched but none were found to be suitable for a permanent location. In 1990 the Old Mission offered to have the People's Kitchen use the covered porch, on a semi -permanent basis. In 1995 the People’s Kitchen was moved to the Grange Hall. Moves have been difficult with client transportation always a concern. In 1997 the People’s Kitchen joined other community agencies at the Prado Day Center. The city and volunteers to meet the needs of the homeless developed this center cooperatively. The new location has not changed the mission of the People’s Kitchen to continue to feed the hungry, not just the homeless. For more than 20 years the People’s Kitchen has provided a noon meal to the hungry. More than 30,000 meals are served each year. The success of the People’s Kitchen has been due to the volunteer efforts of many individuals and organizations. People's Kitchen currently has more than 40 groups helping us provide a hot noon meal. The People’s Kitchen does not receive local, state, or federal money. All meals are provided through volunteer efforts.

From October 25th to the 31st, People’s Kitchen served 834 first-time meals. The busiest day served 145 meals, and the s...
11/03/2026

From October 25th to the 31st, People’s Kitchen served 834 first-time meals. The busiest day served 145 meals, and the slowest served 109.

Our wonderful, all-volunteer serving groups were: Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo and White Heron Sangha, Carly's Crew, French Hospital Medical Center, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Merrimakers of Avila, Sai Baba (food and photo), and The Erwin Family (menu and photo).

Thank you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times.
Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From October 18th to the 24th, People’s Kitchen served 889 first-time meals. The largest day was 147, and the lowest was...
11/03/2026

From October 18th to the 24th, People’s Kitchen served 889 first-time meals. The largest day was 147, and the lowest was 113.

Our dedicated, all-volunteer serving groups were: SLO Adventist Church, United Church of Christ (Congregational) of San Luis Obispo, Bon Temps Creole Cafe (jambalaya pictured), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, SLO Mamas and Papas, and Renovate Church.

Thank you to all who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times.
Please visit our website to learn how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

Thank you to the folks at The Cuestonian for the nice article on The People’s Kitchen!
10/24/2026

Thank you to the folks at The Cuestonian for the nice article on The People’s Kitchen!

People’s Kitchen in San Luis Obispo serves more than 30,000 free meals annually, with Cuesta College volunteers helping fight hunger and build community.

From October 11th to the 17th, People’s Kitchen served 783 first-time meals. The largest day was 122, and the lowest was...
10/20/2026

From October 11th to the 17th, People’s Kitchen served 783 first-time meals. The largest day was 122, and the lowest was 100.

Our dedicated, all-volunteer serving groups were: SLO Newman Catholic Center, Adventist Health Sierra Vista, San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church, First Presbyterian Church, San Luis Obispo, April's Kitchen, SLO City Church, and SLO Hikers.

Thank you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times.
Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From October 4th to the 10th, People’s Kitchen served 812 first-time meals. The largest day was 125, and the lowest was ...
10/20/2026

From October 4th to the 10th, People’s Kitchen served 812 first-time meals. The largest day was 125, and the lowest was 100.

Our wonderful, all-volunteer serving groups were: The Awakening Community, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Los Osos @ Beth David, Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Community (pictured), Cuesta College, Mission San Luis Obispo, and Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School (pictured).

A big thank-you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

10/12/2026

From September 27th to October 3rd, People’s Kitchen served 799 first-time meals. The largest day was 135, and the lowest was 98.

Our resourceful, all-volunteer serving groups were: Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo and White Heron Sangha (video), Bon Temps Creole Cafe, Merrimakers of Avila, Central Coast Women's League, Unity of San Luis Obispo, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, San Luis Obispo, and St. Benedict's Episcopal Church.

A big thank-you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From September 20th to the 26th, People’s Kitchen served 863 first-time meals. The largest day was 135, and the lowest w...
10/05/2026

From September 20th to the 26th, People’s Kitchen served 863 first-time meals. The largest day was 135, and the lowest was 113.

Our wonderful, all-volunteer serving groups were: SLO Adventist Church, United Church of Christ (Congregational) of San Luis Obispo, French Hospital Medical Center, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, ENTACT, LLC, and Renovate Church

A huge thank-you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From September 13th to the 19th, People’s Kitchen served 739 first-time meals. The largest day was 119, and the lowest w...
09/26/2026

From September 13th to the 19th, People’s Kitchen served 739 first-time meals. The largest day was 119, and the lowest was 95.

Our dedicated, all-volunteer serving groups were: SLO Newman Catholic Center (pictured), Adventist Health Sierra Vista, Islamic Society of San Luis Obispo County, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, MED TMG and Consulting, SLO City Church, and Bahai Faith.

A big thank-you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From September 6th to the 12th, People’s Kitchen served 711 first-time meals. The largest day was 120, and the lowest wa...
09/16/2026

From September 6th to the 12th, People’s Kitchen served 711 first-time meals. The largest day was 120, and the lowest was 86.

Our dedicated, all-volunteer serving groups were: Grace Central Coast, St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church, First Presbyterian Church, San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College (pictured), Mission San Luis Obispo, and Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School (pictured).

A big thank-you to everyone who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

From August 30th to the September 5th, People’s Kitchen served 761 first-time meals. The largest day was 120, and the lo...
09/13/2026

From August 30th to the September 5th, People’s Kitchen served 761 first-time meals. The largest day was 120, and the lowest was 99.

Our dedicated, all-volunteer serving groups were: Congregation Beth David (pictured), Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Community, San Luis Obispo (pictured), United Methodist Church (pictured) Unity of San Luis Obispo (pictured), Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, San Luis Obispo, St Peter's By the Sea Morro Bay (pictured).

Thank you to all who prepared and served!

The number of meals continues to grow in these uncertain times. Please check our website for how you can help by volunteering or donating. www.slopeopleskitchen.org

Address

40 Prado Road
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 1pm
Tuesday 12pm - 1pm
Wednesday 12pm - 1pm
Thursday 12pm - 1pm
Friday 12pm - 1pm
Saturday 12pm - 1pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(805) 235-9712

Website

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