Jaden Smith’s New Vegan Restaurant Will Feed the Homeless
Jaden Smith is the son of A-list Hollywood actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Instead of leaning on his parent’s celebrity status, the 22-year-old musician, actor, songwriter, and dancer is trying to make the world a better place.
Along with his famous father, Jaden Smith created a nonprofit to provide clean drinking water to families in Flint, Michigan. The environmentally conscious philanthropist also has a charitable initiative called “I Love You.”
As an extension of his hugely successful food truck, Jaden Smith recently announced plans to open a new vegan restaurant. He plans to feed the homeless free healthy vegan food, assisting the community where he lives and works.
Who is Jaden Smith?
Jaden Christopher Syre Smith was born in Malibu, California, in 1998. He appeared in his first movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, alongside his father in 2006.
A philanthropist for most of his life, the actor is a youth ambassador for Project Zambi, a program started by Hasbro to help children in Africa who are orphaned by AIDS.
He has worked in films such as The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan and has rapped with Justin Bieber in “Never Say Never.” Smith also has a lifestyle brand and clothing line, MSFTSrep.
The ‘I Love You’ initiative
When Jaden Smith turned 21, he decided to launch an initiative to help serve healthy, vegan food to people in need. The innovative entrepreneur opened a charitable food truck called “I Love You,” providing complimentary meals to the disadvantaged of LA.
After the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit, the food truck could no longer distribute meals safely. Instead of giving up, the “Cabin Fever” singer took to the streets and started handing out food, clothing, masks, and hand sanitizer on the infamous “Skid Row.”
A year and a half later, as the pandemic seems to be getting under control, Smith is anxious to get back to serving the people of his community. The kind-hearted actor is opening the I Love You restaurant, which will serve free meals to the homeless.
The After Earth actor is passionate about making sure people have the ability to eat nutritious food. Mic reports the restaurant will serve “grain bowls packed with colorful vegetables” and other delicious vegan dishes.
Smith said those that aren’t homeless can eat at the restaurant, but he will require them to “pay it forward.” He explained: “If you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.”
Changing the world one meal at a time
In an interview with Complex, Smith said, “I just want to give back because I love the world so much, and I care about the world, and I care about the people in the world.”
He explained: “I just want to give back because it’s the right thing to do. I also have ideas on how to do it.”
Passionate about making change, the young artist said, “At any moment, we can create a new version of the world. I have a belief that the next thing that changes everything for everyone can be around the corner.”
Projects such as Smith’s “I Love You” initiative can have a positive impact not only on the LA population but the rest of the world as well.
Plant Based News reported that New Balance, with whom the Life in a Year actor has a vegan sneaker brand, said, “His convention-defying work in fashion and music, coupled with his dedication to philanthropy and environmental awareness, speak to larger global issues and how they impact this generation.”
