Meet Adrienne Nicole Edwards | Community Advocate & Founder ANE Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrienne Nicole Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrienne Nicole, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The ANE Foundation was born out of compassion and a simple desire to help. It started when an unhoused friend mentioned being hungry and having nowhere to go for Thanksgiving. That moment sparked a realization… There were so many others in the same situation, and something needed to be done.
Adrienne reached out to a local chef who had access to a private kitchen. What began as an idea to prepare one meal quickly grew into something bigger. The chef suggested hosting a buffet style dinner to feed more people and offered a location where we could also prepare plates to distribute in Skid Row.
That first event was a success and the beginning of a lasting mission. What started as a single act of kindness has now become a movement. Thirteen years later (ten years officially), the ANE Foundation has expanded far beyond serving meals. Today, it provides ongoing support, resources, and hope to those in need, including individuals experiencing homelessness, disaster victims, and low-income families across the community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The ANE Foundation is a grassroots organization, built on love, service, and community. What sets us apart is our hands on, people first approach. We don’t just serve we connect with those we help. Whether it’s providing hot meals, distributing essential resources, supporting fire victims, or helping low-income families, veterans and unhoused individuals, we strive to meet people where they are and offer genuine care, dignity, and consistency.
What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come from our beginnings. What started as a single Thanksgiving meal for one unhoused friend has grown into a foundation that has been serving the community for over a decade. We’ve expanded from feeding people to providing clothes, hygiene products, toys for children, and everyday essentials and we’re constantly finding new ways to meet the needs of our community.
Getting to where we are today was not easy. There were moments of uncertainty, limited resources, and times when the need felt overwhelming. But through faith, perseverance, and the support of our volunteers and community partners, we kept going. Every challenge taught us something new about resilience, humility, and the power of compassion in action.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that change doesn’t always come from having a lot, it comes from doing what you can with what you have. Small acts of kindness add up to real change when done with heart and consistency.
What I want the world to know about ANE Foundation is that we are here to serve not for recognition, but because it’s needed. Our mission is about restoring hope, one person and one act of service at a time. And as we continue to grow, we want to inspire others to see that everyone can make a difference no matter how small it starts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is a good one! I’m originally from the South, so you already know I love some good food and Los Angeles definitely delivers on that. If my best friend came to visit for a week, we’d start and end each day with amazing food, good people, and great vibes.
We’d definitely hit some of my favorite local spots Steven’s Burgers, El Pollo Inka, Dinos Chicken and burgers and Pollo Campero are at the top of my list. Honestly, LA has some of the best fast food in the world, hands down! But we’d also explore a few hidden gems around the city maybe grab breakfast at a cozy café in Pasadena, lunch by the beach in Santa Monica, and end a day with dinner and live music downtown.
During the week, I’d want to show them what makes LA special from the culture and food to the people. We’d visit local art walks, a Lakers game if they’re in season, maybe a hike up to Griffith Observatory for that classic city view. And, of course, we’d volunteer for a day with ANE Foundation because nothing beats giving back while experiencing the heart of this city.
Los Angeles is a mix of hustle, heart, and hope and that’s exactly what I’d want them to feel by the time they leave.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely! I want to dedicate my shoutout to my parents, Pastors Harold and Patricia, who instilled in my siblings and me the importance of helping others from a young age. Their compassion and example taught me that serving the community isn’t just something you do, it’s a way of life.
I also want to recognize Wendell Blassingame, who officially introduced me to Skid Row and opened my eyes to the realities faced by so many people there. He showed me not only who truly needed help, but also how we could make a real difference. That experience changed everything for me and became a cornerstone in the work we do today through the ANE Foundation.

Website: https://Ane-foundation.org

Instagram: @Theanefoundation

Twitter: AdrienneNEdward

Facebook: ANE Foundation

Image Credits
Not Apply