Oscar’s Palm Springs partners with Well In The Desert to provide homeless meals

Partnering with different church kitchens like Our Lady of Guadalupe and United Methodist Church, Well In The Desert has brought hot meals to Palm Springs' homeless population for more than 20 years.

But recent construction at Church of St. Paul In the Desert has left the nonprofit without a viable kitchen on Wednesdays. With homeless numbers on the rise, Well says they need the help now more than ever.

A new partnership between Oscar's Palm Springs and Well is addressing that need, opening up the restaurant's kitchen to cooking and feeding Monday through Friday, and serving on Wednesdays.

"It was like a win win, because we're not utilizing it. And they would be willing to come in and maintain it and, and help the people in need. So it was just a seemed like a great partnership," Dan Gore, Oscar's owner said.

Matt Naylor, head of Well In The Desert, says they've serviced nearly 800 new homeless people in 2024, and served 81,000 meals.

"I never thought that this would happen to me, that I would have no shelter. But if it can happen to me, I started to realize it can happen to anyone," Johnny Pelto, a homeless person seeking services said.

After operating Oscar's for 12 years, Gore says he's also seen the need in the city grow.

"So many of us feed the birds, and feed the cats, and feed the dogs that are strays. Let's start taking care of our own kind," Gore said.

For many that use Well's services, the opportunity has kept them sane on the streets.

“I’m not hungry anymore. I used to be starving but they provide food for us and a meal,” Joaquin Montalvo said.