Rayanna Hope Northgrave is your quintessential 16-year-old…. starry-eyed, a bit inexperienced, and endearingly wacky. 

But... there’s a twist in the plot here. When the Covid era brought with it a noticeable void in educational stimulation, Ray (like many teens) was looking for something to fill her empty time. 

For years, she had boldly gone where few teens retreat – to the recipe book. As a freshman she enrolled in Fullerton High School’s amazing culinary program which led to her becoming an outstanding amateur cook. 

Then, last summer, Ray came up with an idea that would combine her cooking skills, irrepressible idealism, and desire to serve others. She decided to start her own organization - Ray’s Hope.

Helping others in need comes naturally for Ray who has volunteered with Second Harvest food bank, collected clothing for local battered women’s shelters and homeless facilities, and worked at county food drives. 

Last fall, Ray contacted a few oldsters (translate that as over 30) to help her find places she could “deliver” her services. Within a few weeks she had her first location and group of folks to “serve”. Her initial plan was to feed 12 people one hot meal each Thursday evening. Logistical complications aside, IT WORKED! Along the way she recruited friends and family to help with prep in the kitchen. On Thanksgiving Day, she and her group provided 20 people with a seven-course dinner.