Tawanna Thomas caught a break the day after Thanksgiving when a nonprofit brought some much-needed supplies. Normally, she wouldn’t be able to afford basic necessities because she’s one of the thousands of people living on Los Angeles' skid row that are experiencing homelessness.

“I don’t want to be here but I’m here,” Thomas said.

She received a helping hand extending food and supplies for her and her two children.

Alexis Goudeau is a registered nurse and the founder of the Highly Favored: A Blessing to Others non-profit. On the day after Thanksgiving, she handed out over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies, food, hygiene products and more to those in need. She said it’s a necessity in this community.

 “Last year there was a Hepatitis A outbreak. This year, there’s a typhus outbreak and it’s from overcrowding. So, we want to give these hygiene products and food just to help,” Goudeau said.

Tawanna works on-call and is looking for a second job. That’s why she said she really needed these items.

 “It means a lot to me,” Thomas said.

Charmaine Morales is also a registered nurse. She said it’s a different level of understanding when she sees some of her patients in their environment –– outside of the hospital.

“Being out here, where they live… It’s eye-opening for us and it only helps us to be able to reach a different level with them,” Morales said.

On skid row, it seemed like a never-ending line of people seeking small comforts and supplies. But for Tawanna, she left with a bag of hope, the hope that one day she’ll never have to come back here, again.