By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM
The Shared Plate, a meal program rooted in the community of Palm Springs, has evolved into an independent nonprofit, expanding its mission to serve the Coachella Valley with dignity and compassion. Originating from a simple initiative by United Methodist Church volunteers who began by making sandwiches for those experiencing homelessness, the program has grown significantly over the past decade.
This grassroots effort recently celebrated a milestone as The Shared Plate officially launched as an independent California nonprofit organization. The celebration took place at the church’s Fellowship Hall, attended by Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto and community members. Ric Hawkins, representing the board of directors, highlighted the organization’s mission: “At the shared plate, we do more than feed people. We are building a community table where everyone has a seat.”
The program’s evolution from church volunteers making sandwiches to serving 35,000 meals last year underscores both the growing need and expanding compassion within the community. During the pandemic, The Shared Plate adapted by serving hot soup through the kitchen window, ensuring that the hungry were fed even when gathering wasn’t possible.
Acknowledging the church’s role in starting the program and Pastor Jane Voigts for her continued support, Hawkins emphasized the importance of becoming an independent nonprofit. This status allows the organization to access grants and donations that were previously unavailable to religious organizations, facilitating further expansion of their services.
What distinguishes The Shared Plate is its commitment to dignity. Operating entirely with volunteers, the organization ensures that every donated penny directly benefits those served. Beyond providing meals, the program reimagines food assistance by treating guests with the utmost respect. “Whoever walks through those doors is treated like a guest in our home,” Hawkins explained. “We speak to them by name, serve them restaurant style, and ensure no one leaves hungry.”
In addition to meals, The Shared Plate offers clean clothing and personal hygiene products. Hawkins reflected on her immigrant family’s tradition of welcoming guests, emphasizing the importance of sharing meals and resources. “Sharing a table is how you build community,” echoed Mayor Soto, underscoring the belief that everyone deserves a good meal and dignified treatment. This philosophy aligns with the biblical principle found in Matthew 25:35, which speaks to feeding the hungry and welcoming strangers as acts of neighbor-love.
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Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
