We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hillary Cohen and Sam Luu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hillary and Sam below.
Hillary, Sam, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Our organization’s optimism stems from our mission, the belief that every person matters and inspiring daily action. Every Day Action (EDA) embodies a spirit of hope and positivity that is contagious. Despite the challenges and obstacles we may face, we remain steadfast in our conviction that every act of compassion and generosity has the power to make a difference in someone’s life. That everyone is important and deserving of basic human needs and more.
Sam and I, along with the entire team at EDA, bring a unique blend of passion, dedication, and creativity to our mission. Our leadership and commitment to fostering human connection and empathy serve as a driving force behind EDA’s optimism and belief in the transformative power of kindness.
Through our tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, Sam and I have played a pivotal role in shaping the culture of empathy and generosity that defines EDA. Their ability to lead by example and inspire others to do more good daily, has been instrumental in creating a ripple effect of positive change within our community and helping those struggling with food insecurity.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Sam and I work together daily to make Every Day Action possible with the help of our tiny team both on the ground and online. Together, we collaborate with large food generators across LA to feed as many as we can daily struggling with food insecurity. We pick up food from film/TV sets, commercials, offices, festivals, events, and more and deliver the delicious meals directly to those in need from Santa Clarita to San Pedro. Our reallocator drivers work 24/7 to make sure that no meal and empty bellies are filled, feeding the unhoused as well as a network of over 30 beneficiaries.
One of the most exciting aspects of our work is the direct impact we have on the communities we serve. Through monthly site visits and delivering food ourselves, my co-founder Sam and I engage with our beneficiaries, listening to their needs and desires firsthand. This direct engagement ensures that our programs are continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of those we aim to support. Our team of drivers also plays a crucial role in this process, working closely with our beneficiaries daily to report any updated needs. Currently, we are serving an estimated 90-mile radius and are on track to save 80,000 food items this year.
In addition to our food reallocation and film industry driver program, Every Day Action also creates and distributes hygiene kits to those in need and to other organizations directly distributing on the streets of LA. We collect donations from sets, events, and other nonprofits helping the unhoused and distributed kits as often as possible.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1) Sam and I spent over a decade working on film and TV sets as Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors. Both of us know how the logistics of film production work, which makes reallocating food from sets much easier. We are able to look at a call sheet and know when lunch will be over and what we need to do to get the food from the set to those in need.
2) On our first food run, Sam and I ran out of food and were unable to feed the entire encampment we were at. We held hands, through tears, and said, “not today, but maybe tomorrow.” Maybe tomorrow we will have enough funding/food to help that many more in need. That motto gets Sam and I through every hard day.
3) Being able to multitask. Sam and I have always had to do 20 things at once, and running a nonprofit is no different. Both of our ability to be able to do multiple tasks at the same time has allowed us to sustain and expand quickly.
Advice: Allow yourself to fail. We are not robots – people make mistakes. Learn from them, don’t make the same one twice, and evolve. Lingering on mistakes holds you back from moving on from them and changing the error.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are always looking for more food to save! Concerts, events, festivals – anywhere that creates large quantities of gourmet food…we can help reallocate it! If you have an event coming up or work for a venue not reallocating their food waste, please give us a call!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youreverydayaction.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/every_day_action/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youreverydayaction
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65639369/admin/feed/posts/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@everydayaction
Image Credits
Kathy Schuh
Jack Herman
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
