What is Barry's Kitchen about 2.0

Barry's Kitchen prepares meals for the homeless. Ultimately, it's about helping people to overcome the obstacles that are holding them back.  But it takes time and a certain amount of patience - it's not unlike befriending stray animals, drawn by the offer of nourishment, but each one having differing levels of hope and trust.

What makes us different? We seek to nourish rather than feed - and not just physically. While we do accept donations of prepared food, we strive to provide simple but nutritious meals with more of a home cooked flair. We made this choice when we heard of how one homeless person gained 100 lbs in about a year because he got all the free junk food he wanted. The homeless tend to be shunned and ostracized by the rest of society. While they eat, we encourage them to interact much like they would if they having a family meal to talk among themselves and volunteers. For want of a better way to describe it, we seek to nourish not just the body, but the mind and soul as well.

Conquering fear is a big part of the mission, but it starts with ourselves. I discovered that in 2013, when I was attacked in the park after serving dinner. My assailant (who has since been committed to the Patton State mental hospital in San Bernadino) came up from behind me with a box cutter and severed the anterior branch of my carotid. I was forced to decide how much I was willing to risk to pursue something worthwhile. I've never regretted the choice I've made and I've since been prompted to deal with other fears I've carried around for years.  Starting Barry's Kitchen has forced me to deal with the fear of being vulnerable myself.  I've gotten as far as I can doing this with my own resources. I need your help.