Sugar Taco

Melrose

One of the main motives behind following a vegan diet is to show compassion for animals, and this dog-friendly vegan joint lives that out by giving back to our four-legged friends! Sugar Taco donates 100% of the revenue made from their dog menu item to nonprofits benefiting animal rights and welfare, rotating the receiving organization and menu item offered each month. What about the environment and community? They’ve covered it all! For each meal Sugar Taco serves, they plant a tree through 8 Billion Trees, and for every kid’s meal purchased, a vegan meal is donated to a child in need in partnership with Food for Life Global. They also do a monthly Mercado Urbana for local Latina artists to get exposure, donating an item from each to raise money for This is Humanity, a nonprofit that helps with the border crisis by providing food, water, and shelter. Four paws up for Sugar Taco!

Bodhi Bowl

DTLA

The word Bodhi means “awakened,” and Bodhi Bowl sure is woke with their efforts to give back to the community! For starters, 10% of all sales made from their Giving Bowl gets donated to the Downtown Dog Rescue. After a year of giving to one organization, they switch up the receiving nonprofit. Additionally, they have donated food to the homeless in partnership with Chilis on Wheels as well as the Humane League and Midnight Mission. And for the cherry (tomato) on top, they donate extra lettuce and produce scraps to Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue! They try to use up every bit of their produce—and they’ve got a lot, so if you know of an animal rescue in need of fruit and veggie odds and ends to feed their critters, send an email to bodhibowl@gmail.com for more info!

Krimsey's Cajun Kitchen

North Hollywood

If you order the Rainbow Pride Poboy, Krimsey’s will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Trevor Project, a national organization that offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. Not only will you give back to the community, but you will also give back to your taste buds with this toasted poboy roll filled with mayo, fresh tomato slices, crunchy shredded carrots, battered hearts of palm, organic spinach, diced red cabbage, and Krimsey’s spicy house sauce.

Donut Friend

Highland Park and DTLA

Every month Donut Friend donates half of the proceeds from their Compassion Fruit donut to a cause or charity they feel compassion for––hence the name! For Pride month, they switch it up by donating half of the proceeds from their Green Teagan And Sara donut to the Tegan and Sara Foundation! The owner, Mark Trombino’s favorite charity is Education Through Music Los Angeles. This group creates and supports music programs in underserved elementary schools in LA. Because of Donut Friend’s work, Education Through Music was able to create a music program at Aldama Elementary School, near their Highland Park location. For more details on the amounts and groups donated to in the past, check out their list here. You’ve got a friend in them!

Little Pine

Silverlake

Grammy-nominated musician, Moby opened up Little Pine to positively represent the beauty of vegan food as well as give back to the animals. This spot sweeps in the charity corner by donating 100% of profits to animal organizations such as the Humane Society, PETA, Mercy for Animals, Farm Sanctuary, and more. Additionally, they decorate their space with art made by local artists, offering a spot of exposure for the artists’ work in the community. If you needed another reason to order lemon poppyseed pancakes, here it is!

Sage Vegan Bistro

Echo Park, Culver City, and Pasadena

Working closely with local farmers, Sage goes above and beyond to care for Mother Earth. To begin, they no longer serve products made with almonds due to the amount of water required to grow them as well as the negative impact they have on the bee population. Instead, they use oat milk––which is all the rage anyway! They put their money where their mouth is by partnering with Kiss the Ground to raise money on regenerative agriculture education for farmers. Two dollars from the sale of each Perennial Bowl goes to support the program, which benefits and promotes soil health, water resources, biodiversity, pollinator habitats, and farmer livelihoods. Yeehaw!

Clean South

Pop-Up and Select Stores

Until the end of September 18th, Clean South will donate 10% of their proceeds to Animal Hope & Wellness, a rescue organization based in Sherman Oaks that rescues, rehabilitates, and finds loving homes for neglected animals. Their work is both local and international, even reaching throughout the Asian dog meat trade. Some other efforts by this spot include the donation of excess or leftover food to either a food bank in North Hollywood or the Ronald McDonald House in Hollywood! Make sure to find them at their next event to indulge in some Honee BBQ Wings and encourage them to keep up the excellent work!

Hug Life

Long Beach, Garden Grove, and Orange

This spot gives a metaphorical hug to the community with their efforts to give back! They fundraise for local schools, provide free catering events for the Youth Special Olympics, and every once in a while, donate to a local animal sanctuary. They also work with a Transitional Partnership Program to help prepare highschool students for the real world, giving them opportunities for internships and work skill development. Who knew ice cream could be so powerful?

Native Foods Cafe

Multiple Locations

If you want something more hands-on, this spot allows you to organize your own fundraisers to give back to your community. Get in contact with your nearest Native Foods, request a date, and invite your friends! They will donate a portion of the proceeds from your group meal to the cause of your choice. They also use biodegradable and recyclable packaging, build energy-efficient restaurants, and serve sustainable food, of course!

Mama's International Tamales

Westlake

This vegan-friendly spot is a tamale temple that actively gives back to the community! They donate food of their own to charities and organizations, most recently, giving to Las Jefas Veganas. In addition, they host donation drives and carry out a huge Christmas Eve event where they feed over 300 people around the area. Not only do they provide them with tasty tamales, but they donate toiletries and clothing as well! Stop by and try their vegan menu items like pupusas, tamales, ceviche, and more! There’s something for everyone!

If you’re looking for more active ways to get involved, here are a few different organizations in the community to donate to and volunteer at:

• Chilis on Wheels (email atorres@chilisonwheels.org for more info on volunteering)
• Farm Sanctuary (farmsanctuary.org/get-involved/jobs-intern-volunteer/volunteer/southern-california-volunteer-opportunities)
• Las Jefas Veganas (DM their IG account – instagram.com/lasjefasveganas)
• Lunch on Me (instagram.com/lunchonme)
• Suprmrkt (suprmarkt.la/give)
• The Gentle Barn (gentlebarn.org/get-involved)