Granada Hills : Youth Cooks a Feast for Families at Shelter

An 11-year-old boy from Granada Hills cooked a meal Saturday for about 30 families--including 75 children--who live at a homeless shelter in North Hollywood.

And what a meal it was: juicy hamburgers, homemade potato salad, fresh carrot salad, nachos with cheese, and pie.

Marko Moreno, a sixth-grader in the performing arts magnet at Pacoima Middle School, had been planning the holiday feast for several months, recruiting volunteers from his family, Boy Scout troop, church and school.

“He got his act together and did this totally on his own,” said Marko’s mom, adding that her son already knows how to cook, as evidenced by his four hours of preparation Saturday afternoon.

The shelter residents were delighted with the cuisine.

“Everyone thought the food was just great,” said Joyce Barbee, cafeteria supervisor at the 200-bed shelter. “And when they found out that a child had cooked the meal, they were somewhat overwhelmed by it.”

Marko, on the other hand, was nonchalant about his involvement.

“I just figured since it’s around the holidays, it would be nice to go to a homeless shelter and help out,” Marko said. “To serve them, talk to them and make some friends. I’ve seen them on the streets, but I don’t know many of them personally.”

Marko said that he looked under “shelter” in a phone book and found a listing for the L.A. Family Housing Corp.’s Trudy and Norman Louis Valley Shelter on Lankershim Boulevard. He called, and officials at the shelter said they’d be happy to have his help.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever had somebody so young call to offer their services,” Barbee said. “He wanted to do something for Thanksgiving, and I told him we were already full. But I told him we serve meals every single night, and he could come over any time.”

Marko solicited and received contributions of food and supplies from Price-Costco, Ralphs, Frosty Queen, Fatburger and Thrifty drug stores, among others.