Westside H.O.D.G. to Host Lunch Bag Art Exhibition
The November 1 event in Santa Monica showcases decorated lunch bags used by a nonprofit that has fed nearly 1 million people.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Westside H.O.D.G. will hold a one-night Lunch Bag Art Exhibition at the Craig Krull Gallery in Santa Monica on November 1. The event highlights the creativity behind a program that distributes thousands of meals to those in need.
Why it matters
The exhibition offers a space for community reflection and serves as a joyful antidote to election anxiety. It showcases the work of volunteers who combine artistic expression with the goal of providing hope-filled meal packaging to recipients.
The Sunday Lunch Bag Project has supported nearly 1 million people since its 2020 inception through a network of 20 partner nonprofits. Local gatherings typically produce between 40 and 150 lunches per event for redistribution across Los Angeles.
The players
Westside H.O.D.G.
This is a local chapter of the nonprofit Hangout Do Good that organizes community service projects in the Santa Monica and Los Angeles area.
Jennifer Levin
She is the founder of the original Hangout Do Good organization which established the Sunday Lunch Bag Project.
HoFoCo
This organization acts as the distribution partner responsible for delivering packed meals to dozens of nonprofits throughout the region.
The details
Volunteers transform standard paper lunch bags into unique art pieces before packing them with food for the HoFoCo distribution network. This collaborative effort connects local creativity with a broad mission to support marginalized populations through the nonprofit's ongoing outreach.
Timeline
H.O.D.G. was founded in 2016.
The Sunday Lunch Bag Project began in 2020.
The Westside chapter of H.O.D.G. launched in May 2025.
The Lunch Bag Art Exhibition takes place on November 1, 2026.
Market Landscape
This exhibition highlights the surge in community-based micro-volunteering as nonprofits seek new ways to engage donors and volunteers. By elevating a service task to an art form, the organization distinguishes itself within the crowded Los Angeles nonprofit sector.
Residents can view the art exhibition at the Craig Krull Gallery as a way to engage with the organization’s mission. The event provides an opportunity for neighbors to see the direct results of volunteer efforts that support food distribution programs across the city.
The takeaway
This event demonstrates how simple acts of service can be transformed into broader community-building initiatives. Residents looking to give back may find that combining creativity with volunteerism helps create a more sustained impact for local charities.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts by visiting the Philanthropy section of our site.
More information
Find further details on the project and local volunteer opportunities on the Westside H.O.D.G. group information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Monica Daily Press.
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