Hollywood stars gave part of their Easter weekend to help the Los Angeles Mission distribute food on Skid Row.
For LA Mission's annual Easter event, the shelter provides hot meals and basic food items to the people of Skid Row. Celebrities in attendance on Friday included Nick Cannon, Denise Richards, Jennie Garth, Corey Feldman, Scheana Shay, Ian Ziering, Josh Peck, Loni Love, Kate Linder, Emily Tosta, Julieth Restrepo, Nora Kirkpatrick, Mayra Veronica and Masiela Lusha.
Former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Maxine Waters and Rep. Jimmy Gomez also made appearances to support LA Mission, which is one of the largest providers of homeless services in the country.
Cannon, 43, told PEOPLE he has been working with the mission for “over a decade.”
“It's one of those things where you can actually put life in perspective. “I mean, we have so much love in my family, and then when you come here you realize it takes so much of that same family love,” he explained. “So, to be able to share that, to give my family the opportunity to experience that. The mission has brought us so much joy and so much love over the years, so it’s really about moving it forward.”
Brock Davies and Scheana Shay at the Los Angeles Mission to serve Easter meals for the Skids Row community.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Before the lunch, Ziering, 59, shared similar sentiments, telling PEOPLE, “From my perspective, the reason I get involved in something like this is to show others that living a life of service is so rewarding , not just for you, but for the people you help rise.
“I view the fame I have earned as capital and think that if I could help raise awareness of what it is possible for people to donate their time to, this is a good way to spend that capital “To help others who may be less fortunate.” he continued. “First and foremost, I think this is a good thing. This benefits my heart and it is also a teaching moment for my children in which I can give them perspective.”
In fact, the Beverly Hills, 90210 actor brought his daughters Mia, 12, and Penna, 10, to the event.
“I’m bringing you here today so you can understand the perspective,” he told Penna. “As life can be, you may appreciate the life you have. And be happy with what you have and show gratitude.”
Ian Ziering and Emma Caulfield at the Los Angeles Mission to serve Easter meals to the Skids Row community.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Garth, 51, also brought her three daughters Luca, 26, Lola, 21, and Fiona, 17 — whom she shares with ex-husband Peter Facinelli — to the event, as she told PEOPLE it was a ” Honor” to give this back to the LA community.
“The mission is something of a cornerstone of Los Angeles, and it's an honor to help them provide their services,” she said, later adding, “Just walking through the building — it's so full of joy , hope and people.” are just so happy to be here and celebrate Easter… I mean, it's so fun and festive there and it just warms your heart to be able to be a part of it.”
The actress also pointed out that it was important for her to show her children why it's important to “pay it forward” when it comes to community service.
“Every time I volunteer, I try to take as many of my kids with me as I can because they like to give back and we like to do it together,” Garth said. “And I think it's just a good thing to remind them of the importance of giving back and providing service. You know, we’re so lucky and it’s really important to me to pay it forward.”
Denise Richards at the Los Angeles Mission x Easter Celebration held at Los Angeles Mission on March 29, 2024.
River Callaway/Variety via Getty
Richards, 53, spoke to PEOPLE and said it was “really wonderful to be able to give back” before emphasizing how serious the homeless crisis is in Los Angeles.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to help and give back,” she said.
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Pastor Troy Vaughn, President and CEO of LA Mission, gave a sermon before the event. The subsequent food distribution lasted three hours.
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