Today, we got the chance to give back to the community in a way that felt both humbling and hopeful.

City Eats partnered with House of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland to host a Christmas brunch for anyone who needed a hot meal. Throughout the day, we served over 300 meals and handed out toys to families and kids across Oakland—both to guests who came into the restaurant and through deliveries to local shelters. It was a reminder that “community” isn’t just a word; it’s something you build, plate by plate and person by person.

The Reality In Oakland

This kind of work is especially important in a city like Oakland, where housing insecurity and homelessness remain urgent issues. According to Alameda County’s 2024 Point-in-Time Count, an estimated 5,485 people are experiencing homelessness in Oakland alone, making up about 58% of the entire county’s homeless population even though Oakland is only about a quarter of the county’s residents (Alameda County 2024 PIT Oakland Infographic).

 A 15+ Year Tradition of Giving

House of Chicken and Waffles is more than just a beloved local restaurant—it’s a pillar in the community. Owner Derreck Johnson has been leading a Christmas Day giveback since he opened HOCW over 15 years ago. What started as a simple idea to feed people who might otherwise go without has grown into a yearly tradition that the community can depend on.

Year after year, Derreck has opened his doors on a day when most businesses are closed, turning his restaurant into a hub of warmth, celebration, and generosity. His consistency has helped make this event a fixture in Oakland—something people look forward to and know they can count on.

City Eats: Service as a Way of Life

This year’s brunch was organized by City Eats, led by CEO and Founder Kieem, who has been doing this kind of work for over 15 years. City Eats is built on a simple belief: everyone deserves access to a meal and to be treated with respect, no matter their circumstances.

For over a decade and a half, Kieem and the City Eats team have been showing up in cities around the country—cooking, serving, and creating safe, welcoming spaces for those who are often overlooked. Their consistency and commitment are what turn one-off events into movement and impact.

Connecting the Dots: Flygerian Jeff & the UTA Team

As an Oakland native, Flygerian Jeff understands firsthand what this city has been through and what it needs. He and the UTA team showed up in full force, bringing volunteers, energy, and support to help make the day a success.

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More Than a Meal

On the surface, today was about food and toys. But if you were in the room—or out on deliveries—you could feel it was about more than that:

• It was about parents being able to watch their kids open a present on Christmas.
• It was about elders having a place to sit, eat, and feel cared for.
• It was about reminding people who are struggling that they’re not forgotten.
  

In a city where the challenges are real and visible, days like this prove that so is the love.

Moving Forward

The need in Oakland doesn’t end after the holidays. Today was one chapter in a much longer story of service that people like Derreck, Kieem, Flygerian Jeff, and countless volunteers are writing together.

If you’re reading this and wondering how to get involved, know that there’s always room at the table—whether through volunteering, donating, partnering, or simply spreading the word. Change doesn’t come from any one person or organization; it comes from all of us doing our part, consistently, over time.

On this Christmas Day, we were honored to play a small role in something much bigger than ourselves. And we’re just getting started.