Jaden Smith has never been one to stick to the script. Whether it’s fashion, music, or business, the 27-year-old artist has always moved to his own rhythm. But his latest passion project isn’t about topping charts or setting trends; it’s about feeding a community that society often overlooks.
Smith recently shared his ultimate dream: opening a permanent, brick-and-mortar building on Los Angeles’ Skid Row to provide free meals every single day.
“I want the ‘I love you’ community to support me while I’m trying to do this,” Smith said, outlining a vision that goes far beyond a simple soup kitchen. His goal is to create a space with a “good vibe” that not only offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner but also creates jobs and serves as a consistent sanctuary for the unhoused.
Jaden Smith says his dream is to one day own a building on Skid Row where he can provide free meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, to people in need. pic.twitter.com/3SEHPvmNtC
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) February 17, 2026
This dream isn’t a new whim; it’s the evolution of a mission Smith started years ago. On his 21st birthday in July 2019, instead of throwing a lavish party, he launched the I Love You Restaurant food truck.
The concept was radical in its simplicity and dignity. The truck pulled up to Skid Row, an area with one of the largest homeless populations in the U.S., and handed out high-quality, healthy vegan meals for free.
“The I Love You restaurant is a movement that is all about giving people what they deserve: healthy, vegan food for free,” Smith explained at the launch.
The long-term business model for the permanent location is equally innovative. Smith envisions a “pay-it-forward” system where those who can afford to pay are charged a premium. That extra cost doesn’t go to profit; it directly subsidizes the meal of the person behind them who cannot afford to pay. It’s a cycle of community support designed to break down the barrier between “donor” and “recipient.”
Smith’s philanthropic resume extends well beyond food. He is a co-founder of 501CTHREE.org, a nonprofit dedicated to solving energy, food, and water challenges.
Most notably, he took action during the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Partnering with a local church, his organization deployed “The Water Box,” a mobile filtration system that removes lead and other contaminants to produce clean, safe drinking water at 10 gallons per minute.
The initiative wasn’t a one-off PR stunt. Smith has since installed Water Boxes in other underserved communities, including Newark, NJ, and right back on Skid Row in Los Angeles, proving his commitment to using technology for social good.
What sets Smith’s work apart is his focus on the quality of the aid. Whether it’s the ethically sourced spring water from his company JUST Water or the nutrient-dense vegan bowls from his food truck, he insists that underserved communities deserve the same high standards as anyone else.
His recent call to action is a reminder that while the food truck was a successful proof of concept, the real work is just beginning. “We don’t have a brick-and-mortar store right now… but I want to have that,” Smith shared.
For Jaden Smith, the dream isn’t just to feed the hungry, it’s to build a permanent home where they can be seen, served, and valued.
