As a lifelong resident of Carson, California, I have had the privilege of witnessing the city’s growth and transformation over the years. I remember, as a young child, riding my dirt bike over mounds of dirt that would later become an extension of California State University, Dominguez Hills. I watched as Dignity Health Sports Park rose from the ground to become a proud landmark in our city and home to the LA Galaxy. Over time, Carson has developed into a vibrant and beautiful community, one rooted in family values, resilience, and
continuous progress.

For these reasons, I have chosen to remain in Carson and build my life here. However, alongside this growth, I have also witnessed a troubling change. What was once a community with little to no visible homelessness has, in recent years, experienced a noticeable increase. Even more personally, I have seen childhood friends become part of the homeless population within the very community we once shared.

Faced with this reality, my wife and I prayed for guidance, seeking a meaningful and impactful way to address homelessness and hunger in our city. Through that prayer, The CarMa Love Foundation and its Change For Food initiative were born. We believed that the most powerful place to begin was within our own community, bringing people together to care for one another in practical, sustainable ways.

Change For Food partners with local Carson restaurants to transform everyday moments into opportunities for compassion. By allowing customers to donate their spare change, we create a collective effort to provide meals for homeless veterans, homeless residents, and indigent individuals throughout the city.

Our mission is deeply rooted in faith and service:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40

Through faith, community, and action, The CarMa Love Foundation strives to ensure that no one in Carson is forgotten- and that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can help change a life.

~Carl and Marva Lumpkin