Rebecca Manzi Jaden Smith opens "I Love You," a free vegan restaurant for the homeless, to combat food insecurity and social inequality, creating a model for solidarity and sustainability.
@c.syresmith/Instagram
Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith and a multifaceted artist and social activist, has taken another concrete step in the fight against food insecurity and social marginalization. After launching a vegan food truck in 2019 to distribute free meals in Skid Row, a neighborhood that has come to symbolize Los Angeles’ housing crisis, he has now decided to turn that gesture of solidarity into a permanent solution.
The new initiative, a free restaurant for the homeless, is called “I Love You,” just like the original food truck. However, this isn’t simply a business venture. Anyone can walk in and receive a hot plant-based meal free of charge and, most importantly, without judgment. The restaurant operates on a solidarity economy model: those who can afford to pay a little extra do so, helping to cover meals for those who cannot.
In an age where food insecurity and social inequality are rising in many major cities, projects like this serve as a tangible sign of change. The restaurant isn’t just about feeding people; it is about restoring dignity to those who are often overlooked. As Jaden himself puts it:
“We’re not just feeding people, we’re building a fairer system, where everyone has value.”
Smith, who is already the founder of a brand promoting eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, continues to demonstrate his commitment to sustainability through this new initiative. The menu is strictly vegan, reflecting his dedication to environmental responsibility. The meals are wholesome, made with clean, affordable ingredients, and served with free drinking water. This choice aligns with the actor’s broader philosophy, as he is also the founder of JUST Water, a brand focused on offering eco-conscious alternatives to plastic.
The meals at I Love You are prepared with local, accessible ingredients, ensuring affordability while also supporting the community. This restaurant represents a model for solidarity, where people can pay based on their ability and, in turn, help sustain those who need help the most. It’s a beautiful example of a community coming together to solve a problem, rather than waiting for outside forces to make the change.
With this new opening, Jaden Smith reaffirms his status as an influential figure with a positive impact. Rather than using his fame for self-promotion, he is leveraging it to generate real social change. While the restaurant is open to all, it is primarily a sanctuary for those who need compassion, care, and humanity the most.
I Love You is a place where solidarity is celebrated. This initiative shows that even a simple plate of food, when offered with love to those in need, can become a powerful tool for social justice and equality.
