Thanksgiving Weekend Inspiration: The Women Rescuing 270,000 Meals and Counting

What happens when two women working behind the scenes in Hollywood decide they’re done watching perfectly good gourmet meals go in the trash?
 They build a movement.

In today’s powerful conversation, I sit down with CNN Everyday Hero nominee Hillary Cohen and her powerhouse co-founder Samantha Liu, the founders of Everyday Action, a Los Angeles–based nonprofit rescuing untouched meals from film and TV sets and redirecting them to communities facing food insecurity.

These two women are the definition of scrappy, heart-driven leadership. Since launching in 2020, they’ve redistributed more than 270,000 meals across LA — all while training drivers, building a volunteer network, and operating their nonprofit like a well-oiled production set.

Together, we talk about the moment that sparked their work, the misconceptions about unhoused individuals, the emotional impact of giving with dignity, and how everyday people (yes, you and me) can be part of the solution.

If you’ve ever wondered how small actions can lead to massive impact, this episode will light you up.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• The moment Hillary realized food waste on film sets wasn’t “just the way it is”
• The behind-the-scenes reality of food waste in Hollywood
• What it really looks like to build a nonprofit with zero experience (and a whole lot of heart)
• The surprising challenges of delivering meals with dignity
• How Everyday Action protects the humanity of those they serve
• The emotional payoff of serving “just one person”
• Their dreams for expansion, including a fully funded warehouse, a massive freezer, and a national network
• How YOU can help eliminate food waste in your own community today

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Casa De Confidence is a podcast for women navigating midlife reinvention, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. Hosted by Julie DeLucca-Collins, the show explores confidence, sustainable business success, visibility, authority building, and aligned growth for women entrepreneurs ready to lead boldly and live intentionally. Through real conversations and practical insights, listeners gain clarity, strengthen confidence, and develop strategies to expand their impact, voice, and opportunities.

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