Last week, we had the honor of awarding six college scholarships inside San Quentin to an incredible group of men. The Love Does Scholarships are more than just financial support, they remind us that education can open new doors of opportunity. They affirm that, no matter where we are, our stories are still unfolding and some of the best chapters are yet to be written.

One recipient couldn’t attend the ceremony, so a friend delivered his certificate back to his cell. Overcome with emotion, he said, “I thought God had forgotten about me. I didn’t think I was worthy.”

Another recipient shared, “thank you again for the scholarship, it was a true blessing and I’m inspired to use it to help other people and make a difference. I want to build this country up, and help the community while doing it.”

And lastly, an incarcerated person who is pursuing work in the Deaf community, said, “I thank you for believing in my mission and encouraging me to dream big. Forevermore, my work in ASL interpreting and Deaf education will be embedded with the DNA of Love Does.”

These stories are a powerful reminder that when we show up with love, hope multiplies.

Watch this video to check out all of our programs at San Quentin!

We didn’t set out to start a food program, we set out to love our neighbors. Right now, that looks like showing up with food and staying to have meaningful conversations with the people we meet. One Thursday back in 2021 we packed a few bags of groceries to deliver. The next Thursday we packed a few more. We blinked, and suddenly we delivered over 15,900 bags of groceries, overflowing with 153,600 pounds of produce and dry goods.

Throughout the week, we deliver to schools for students experiencing homelessness, single moms, seniors, veterans and still every Thursday, we hop in the Love Does Mobile Food Pantry to connect with 70 families in what we call the Neighbor to Neighbor program. Fourteen wonderful partners have jumped in with us, and somehow this beautiful, joy-filled thing keeps growing.

We don’t measure success in spreadsheets. We measure it in smiles, honks from passing cars, and the kid who shouts “THE FOOD PEOPLE ARE HERE!” before we’ve even stopped the van. If you see us on the road this Thursday, give us a honk. Happy National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month!

This spring, three Love Does in Action College campuses—Lipscomb, Belmont, and Pepperdine—stepped up in a big way, hosting Pickleball for Poland fundraising events to support the Love Does Launch Program. This program supports the graduating class of Ukrainian refugee students at the Love Does School in Poland by providing scholarships to pursue higher education.

Each event was full of energy, community, and competition, all with the same goal in mind. It’s a beautiful sight of current college students rallying to support future college students a world away. To all the students, clubs, and campuses who came out to play pickleball for a purpose: thank you for putting love into action.

And while we’re celebrating…

We also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to all of the Love Does in Action Club members who are graduating from college this year! We are so proud of you, so grateful for the ways you’ve led with love, and so excited to see where you’ll go and all you will accomplish next. You’re world changers!

Last week, we joined forces with an incredible crew—Lifeline Christian Mission, City View Church, refugee families, friends, and volunteers—to pack 53,568 meals for the students at our school in Burkina Faso. That’s right—53,568 meals filled with rice, vegetables, protein, and vital nutrients that will help fuel students’ bodies and minds! The room was buzzing with energy, teamwork, and excitement.

These meals will support our Love Does school in Burkina Faso, where for many students, it is their only food for the day. To everyone who showed up to help pack meals and make the night unforgettable: thank you. You are part of this story, you are part of the impact, and we’re so grateful.

At Love Does, we believe love isn’t just something we talk about – it’s something we do. Here in San Diego, the Love Does Boutique is doing just that by offering a free shopping experience for single moms, to fill up on essentials to help them care for their families.

This year, we want you to be a part of helping us stock the boutique! Each quarter, we’ll be collecting specific items to make sure every mom finds exactly what she needs. If you’d like to add a little extra love, consider including a personal note of encouragement with your donation – a simple way to remind these incredible moms that they are valued, supported, and never alone.