Over 950,000 meals served since December 1987 to present.     Thank you to all of our supporters!

I see so many pictures of the streets of Skid Row in down town Los Angeles – I see so many faces – I see so many hands reaching – I hear so many cries of despair – I feel the hopelessness of so many – I sense the fear of many that will never see the next day – I sense the fear in many that live on the streets daily – Come December 5^th 2004 It will be 17 years I have spent on the streets of Skid Row – What started with 111 peanut and jelly sandwiches on a cold and rainy day that December 5^th 1987 – Has now turned into over 792,000 meals served on these same streets – Verboten streets to say the least – What looks like food – Tastes like food – Even smells like food – Is not what I serve – I serve purity of mind - body and soul to the denizens of Skid Row – There have been thousands that I have come in contact with – So aware are the people of the streets – They could sense fraud – They can sense a con – They trust no one – People that come to Skid Row are out to change them – Rehabilitate them – Give them a sermon – Show them there is a better way to go – When I look my brother or sister in the eye – I only see God’s child – I see a forgotten soul of the human race – I am only to touch them - and them to me – The purity of my soul must touch the purity of their soul – The dishonesty of our society is most prevalent - It trickles to the bottom and must be stamped out with honesty – So when I say - I care – It must be backed up with action – Devoid of any self seeking motive – For if there is one splinter of oblique dishonesty – The acute awareness of the people of the streets will pick up on it – When I give of my self – I must give freely – I must give purely – I must give with no conditions – I must give with the totality of freedom of self – This - In order to attain the unselfishness of self – So I am interwoven with humanity in a section known as Skid Row in down town Los Angeles – Where my soul is touched by so many – Where death lurks in that unknown corner of emptiness – Where despair is the order of the day – The society of Skid Row is most unique – The moment they live in is now – The tomorrows may never come for many – The walk across the street to a new life – Is much too far for most – There is a beat - An undercurrent – care for one another - And yet not – A sharing of what one has – Giving to another – A stranger can not see what goes on – They only see the dismay – The rubble of  souls – They can not see the watchful eye for one to another – The torn fragments of their bodies as they move through each day is a sight to behold – For they truly can survive – The code of ethics – The respect they have for each – Coupled with the instant attack - Sometimes a killing when disrespect comes into view – These are the streets of Skid Row where I have spent 17 years of my life – It is an honor for me to be of service to His flock – I take no credit – I just followed the directions – If  I could somehow put into words the humility that comes forth in my being as a result of the thousands of people that supported this endeavor – I would be a poet – I am not a poet – So to each - My thank you - For being a part of this miracle – I gave each of all - A piece of the fragments of Skid Row –

December 5th marks Frontline's 17th anniversary of serving food to the hungry on the streets of Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. Begun by Ray Castellani when he felt called to serve 111 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the all volunteer group has grown from a one man operation to a grass roots movement  involving thousands that have provided over 790,000 meals to people who likely will never re-enter mainstream society. This is an anniversary for all of you who have thrown your love and support into helping those on the streets.  You have all been used as instruments to help mankind in such a deep way. Even though we always talk about the number of meals served, at Frontline it’s never been about the food. It’s about what goes along with the sack - love, care and compassion.

Also be on the lookout for info. on a comedy night we’re planning in late Spring.

4. Make reservations for Swing Night. Purchase extra tickets for friends and families as their gift this holiday season. We’ll send you a gift card/certificate  to give them at the holidays

Thanks to the generosity of Art Stoner and his son Dan Stoner, Frontline has a new 2004 Dodge minivan in which to deliver food. The minivan with its  9,000 miles arrived from Idaho on Nov.  6.  Big White is the 1979 Ford that has delivered over half of the 790,000 meals served to date and is the truck that received media coverage when it was stolen in 1992.  The new minivan is gorgeous with it’s power everything (windows, doors, dual side doors, a/c, radio, etc., etc. )Coming from Big White, it’s like driving a rolls Royce!

Ray Castellani was in the hospital for shoulder surgery on August 18 for a torn rotator cuff . The surgery went well, but he was laid up for six weeks. His arm had to perpendicularly bent on an attached pillow for that entire time. Everyone stepped up to the plate to pitch in.  Dan Stoner drove Big White down town for seven weeks and Craig Randell for one. All in all every one at Frontline took command. The food was delivered.  Each group from Monday thru Saturday worked with precision - A tribute to all. Doug Gibbons got the mail each day and brought it to Ray so as not to get behind in the offices work. And,  Doug also brought lunch each day for Ray while he opened the mail. Maura Moelter wrote Ray’s thank you notes as Ray dictated. A thank you to Paul Armbruster for his devoted help as well. Now comes the good part: Did Ray shower ? No!! Did Ray wash his hair ? No !! Noreen Castellani gave Ray (if you can believe this) a sponge bath and a hair wash each day – Oh my God !! Ray is in rehab and will be for six months or  so while he regains the ability to lift it and move it. It’s been difficult for Ray but he only missed one Saturday – The people of Skid Row have been most caring and comforting to Ray while he is recovering.

Sara Roter