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Al and Friends logo — a wave on a plate with a fork and spoon Donate

Hungry? Join us.

A hot breakfast.
A warm welcome.
Every Sunday.

Since 2010, Chef Al Siekert and his volunteers have served a hot, wholesome brunch-style breakfast on Monterey Bay — rain or shine. All are welcome, no questions asked.

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Sundays, 8:30–9:30 AM Monterey Bay Park (formerly Window on the Bay Park), Monterey Rain or shine
Join us for breakfast

Everyone has a seat at our table

Whether you're hungry, housing insecure, or simply want to share a meal with neighbors — come as you are. Meals are cooked fresh, right on the beach.

  • Every Sunday morning — Plus Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July
  • 8:30 AM to about 9:30 AM — rain or shine, warm or windy
  • Hot entrées, salads, specialty desserts and more — a different menu every week
  • A meal to go — sandwiches and fresh fruit to take with you, so breakfast isn't your last meal of the day
  • Coffee and juice bar — a warm cup and fresh juice waiting for guests before the meal begins
  • Dog food, too — we keep guests' four-legged companions fed as well
  • Live music on the bay — local musicians set the soundtrack while breakfast is served
  • Going green — reusable plates and forks
Monterey Bay Park (formerly Window on the Bay Park)

717 Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Along the bike path, across from McDonald's.

Get directions
More than a meal

Caring for the whole person

Hunger is rarely the only challenge our guests face. Alongside every Sunday breakfast, Al and Friends helps neighbors meet the basic needs that restore comfort, confidence, and dignity.

Hot meals — and one for the road

A fresh, chef-prepared brunch-style breakfast every Sunday morning — hot entrées, salads, and more, cooked right on the beach. Before guests leave, we send them off with sandwiches and fresh fruit, so there's another meal waiting for later in the day.

Clothing

Donated clothing is available every Sunday — warm layers for cool mornings on the bay and everyday essentials our neighbors can count on, free of charge.

Personal hygiene

Feeling clean shouldn't be a luxury. We help our guests care for their personal hygiene — because dignity begins with the basics, and everyone deserves a fresh start to the week.

Properly fitted footwear

Good shoes matter. Rather than rely on donated footwear, we take guests in need to get properly measured and fitted, and we cover the cost — so everyone walks away with shoes that actually fit.

Our story

It started with one man, a grill, and an epiphany

Retired chef Al Siekert was inspired by homeless advocate and pastor Brian Bajari to begin serving breakfast to Monterey's most vulnerable residents. What began as a small act of kindness in 2010 has become a beloved Sunday tradition — a community built around good food, dignity, and friendship, where guests also find clothing and support for personal hygiene alongside a hot meal.

It's all because of Brian. I wouldn't have had the epiphany to do it had it not been for Brian. It's been amazing to me how much influence that little movement was to me in my life.
— Chef Al Siekert, Founder
2023 Monterey Herald Hero Award winner

Our mission

Headed by Chef Alvin Siekert, the mission of Al and Friends is to lift up members of the community who suffer from the most pressing challenges: hunger, homelessness, and poverty. Our organization thrives because we are an effective social service provider, a consistent presence, and a growing local network of dedicated citizens built from within the community that we serve. By serving thoughtfully planned meals regularly, Al and Friends helps bring dignity to people's lives, nurtures benevolent values within our community, and invites everyone to get involved in doing something that matters.

Our history

Al and Friends began in 2010 with a vision from our founder, Al Siekert, a retired chef and caterer. Al wanted to provide a dignified meal to our most in-need community members on the Monterey Peninsula. He sought donors and collected change at a local market, and in doing so he found a way to spread his compassion. This was a way to succinctly "show and tell" folks about what he does with a genuine and truly inspiring persona, without any pretense or dogma. Al and Friends has become a mainstay in the community, and our mission continues with the support of donations from compassionate businesses and individuals, and the support of our amazing volunteers. With Al's leadership, determination, and passion, we endeavor to continue to serve with humble hearts.

Chef Al Siekert, founder of Al and Friends

Meet Chef Al

Al Siekert is a retired chef and caterer who had a goal of providing a nutritious meal with dignity to our most in-need community members. Since 2010, Al can be found at Grove Market in Pacific Grove, as well as the Pacific Grove Farmers Market, spreading the word and collecting donations from the community. A recipient of the 2016 Jefferson Award for Community Service, Al serves up nutritious meals, rain or shine, every Sunday morning.

Our impact

One Sunday at a time

Over 100,000Meals served since 2010
150Meals every Sunday, on average
52+ HolidaysBreakfasts a year, rain or shine
100%Welcome, no questions asked
Lend a hand

Volunteer on the bay

Prep, serve, and greet, or help clean up — there's a spot for everyone. Volunteers arrive Sunday mornings at 7:30 AM at Monterey Bay Park (formerly Window on the Bay Park), and some join Al in the kitchen on Saturday nights.

When would I volunteer?
Sunday mornings, arriving at 7:30 AM. Breakfast wraps up around 9:30 AM. Occasionally there's a Saturday-night kitchen shift prepping alongside Chef Al (it starts after 8:00 PM and can run late).
What will I be doing?
Servers, greeters, and cleanup crew are the main roles at the Sunday breakfast. Saturday kitchen shifts usually involve chopping vegetables and prepping. You won't be required to cook — Chef Al and seasoned volunteers handle that.
Is there heavy lifting?
Very little. The serving tables are the heaviest items and they're manageable. If lifting isn't for you, another volunteer can always take that spot.
What should I wear?
Warm layers! Mornings at the beach are cool, and it often warms up later. Gloves and masks are available on site, and disposable gloves are provided for food handling — health and safety always come first.
Do you serve on holidays or in bad weather?
Yes — rain or shine, windy or cold. We traditionally serve on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and the 4th of July. There's nothing better than a hot meal on those days.

Ready to join us?

Volunteer spots fill up fast — email us to check for openings, or reach out about Saturday kitchen shifts. Can't make a Sunday you signed up for? Just drop us a note.

Email Us to volunteer

General questions: info@alandfriends.org

Save the date

Events

Upcoming fundraisers, guest-chef Sundays, and community events — coming soon.

We'll list special events here as they're scheduled. Have a question about an upcoming event? Email us.

From our friends

What people are saying

"Al & Friends is a warm and snugly place for me each Sunday."

"There is so much friendship and caring at Al & Friends that it helps me make it through my tough times."

"I'm brand new here at Al & Friends and I can definitely feel the love."

"Al & Friends offers a great meal, tasty & hot, but it's much more than that. Al & Friends shows me that somebody cares for me. That's so important, realizing that somebody cares. God Bless you guys at Al & Friends!"

"I travel all around California and no other community offers the services to unhoused people that compare with what we receive from Al & Friends. It's very special. We are so lucky to have Al & Friends to help us."

Recognition

Awards

The award-winning Al and Friends nonprofit has won:

Award

The Jefferson Award

Awarded by the California State Assembly

Award

The Spadaro Humanitarian Award

Award

The Monterey Herald Hero Award

Award

The Weekly Ingenuity Award

Highlights and happenings

News from the beach

Sustainability

Al and Friends goes green

With help from Sustainable Monterey County, we've moved to reusable metal forks and plates. Drop yours in the bus bins after breakfast and we'll have them washed and ready for next Sunday.

Community

Grants and guest chefs

Recent support includes a $3,000 grant from the City of Seaside Homeless Commission and a vehicle grant from Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services — plus guest chefs like Steven Siglin and Hyson Epstein (giant beachside paella!).

Leadership

Board of Directors

The volunteers who guide Al and Friends.

  • Al Siekert waving in a commercial kitchen

    Al Siekert

    Chairman of the Board / Executive Director

    al@alandfriends.org

    Al Siekert is a retired chef and caterer who wanted to provide a meal with dignity to our most in-need community members. Since 2010, Al has been stationed at Grove Market in Pacific Grove, as well as the Pacific Grove Farmers Market, to spread the word and collect donations from the community. Al serves up nutritious meals, rain or shine, every Sunday morning.

  • Rick Richards cooking on an outdoor griddle

    Rick Richards

    President

    rick@alandfriends.org

    Rick found his calling with Al & Friends when he first met Al at Grove Market in Pacific Grove. Al was standing outside with pictures of what he does, feeding those in need, every Sunday. Rick quickly became friends with Al, and has been helping to feed those most in need in our community. Rick plays the guitar and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

  • Greg Phillips

    Greg Phillips

    Vice President

    greg@alandfriends.org

    Prior to joining Al & Friends, Greg volunteered at the Contra Costa County Food Bank. You will often see Greg running around behind the scenes on Sunday, helping to orchestrate the logistics of the Sunday Breakfasts. Greg is a school teacher, teaching Spanish, graphic and web design, has an Administrative Credential, holds a 100 Ton US Coast Guard Boat Captain's License, and runs scuba diving charters in Monterey.

  • Justin Tyme Noren at an outdoor Al and Friends table

    Justin Tyme Noren

    Secretary

    justintymenoren@gmail.com

    Justin Tyme Noren and his family have been living on the Monterey Peninsula since 2009. Justin and Al met the first time when Al knocked on his door and told a quick, inspiring story. Al was very genuine and Justin believed him. As Justin gave Al a donation, Al encouraged him to come to the breakfast to see what it was all about. It was a wonderful gathering of energetic folks cooking up a storm of delicious food for some grateful people. The newly assembled Board of Directors needed a Secretary of the Board and Justin could not refuse the call. Justin is a local real estate agent.

  • Michele Barat outdoors under a canopy

    Michele Barat

    Board Member

    michele@alandfriends.org

    Michele is the owner of Foxglove Landscape Design and Maintenance in Pacific Grove, founded in 1980. She has been involved in environmental projects in Pacific Grove and a former Board Member of the Pacific Grove Art Center. She has been serving on the Al & Friends Board of Directors, and has been a proud volunteer since 2012.

  • Dewey Mosely

    Dewey Mosely

    Board Member

    dewey@alandfriends.org

    Dewey Mosley is a Graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with over 28 years of service – A Leader in National and International Security. Founder of a Management and Investment Company - Specializing in advanced trading and investment strategies. CFO and board member for On Call for God International Ministries - Enabling and supporting worldwide missionary initiatives. President of the Stevenson School Alumni Association, Pebble Beach, CA. Husband, father, and passionate volunteer at Al & Friends since 2023.

  • Diana Cumberland

    Diana Cumberland

    Board Member

    diana@alandfriends.org

    Diana worked with a local food company for 30 years and now serves on its board. After retiring in 2025, she sought meaningful ways to give back and help those less fortunate. Introduced to Al and Friends by her daughter Dani, Diana quickly connected with the organization’s mission and is proud to serve the community through its work.

Interested in board service or have a governance question? Get in touch.

With gratitude

Our donors

Thank you to the businesses and organizations that support Al and Friends.

Thank you

Our Community partners

We're deeply grateful to the local organizations whose generosity keeps the griddle hot every Sunday.

Grocery Outlet, Seaside Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services City of Seaside Homeless Commission Sustainable Monterey County Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust Monterey Women for Good
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