We Out Here Altadena: How Krystal Lopez Keeps Hope Alive After the Eaton Fire

MADE IN DENA
Jan 22
5 min read

Krystal Lopez of "The Juicy Little Society" directing the crowd serviced by her weekly distribution efforts at Fair Oaks Burgers in Altadena, CA.

When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena in early 2025, it left behind charred homes, lost memories, and a community in crisis. Amid the ashes, Krystal “Miss Juicy Little” Lopez emerged as a beacon of hope. A born-and-raised Altadenan and founder of the nonprofit Juicy Little Society, Krystal refused to let despair take root. Instead, she channeled her grief into action, rallying neighbors to help neighbors. Today, her grassroots mutual aid project “We Out Here Altadena” has become a lifeline – and a weekly celebration of resilience – for families still recovering from the disaster.

Rising from the Ashes: Krystal Lopez and Juicy Little Society

Krystal Lopez’s personal journey is as inspiring as her community work. A single mother and former foster youth, Krystal founded Juicy Little Society to support at-risk girls and families long before the fire. She is also a survivor of trauma and exploitation – a survivor of sex trafficking – who transformed her pain into purpose. Through Juicy Little Society, she had been mentoring youth and creating a safe space in Altadena. But on January 7, 2025, the unthinkable happened: the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, burning over 14,000 acres and destroying nearly 9,400 structures, including Juicy Little’s own clubhouse. The fire claimed at least 19 lives and devastated countless others, ranking as one of the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California history.

Losing her organization’s headquarters – and seeing neighbors lose everything – could have broken Krystal’s spirit. Instead, it forged a leader. “I am the heart & muscle behind The Juicy Little Society,” Krystal often says, and she proved it in the fire’s aftermath. Krystal chose action over despair. In the very first days after the blaze, she mobilized what resources she had and began reaching out to families in need. With her clubhouse gone, she turned Fair Oaks Burger, a beloved local burger stand, into ground zero for community relief. There, in the parking lot, she set up tables of donated food and supplies – a humble beginning to what would become We Out Here Altadena.

The Birth of “We Out Here Altadena”

Out of those impromptu pop-ups grew We Out Here Altadena, a weekly mutual aid marketplace born directly from the community’s needs. Krystal understood that recovery wasn’t going to happen overnight – families would need ongoing support for months and years. So she made a bold commitment: every Wednesday, she and her team would show up for Altadena. Rain or shine, at noon each Wednesday the parking lot of Fair Oaks Burger transforms into a vibrant hub of hope. What started as a small personal effort has evolved into one of Altadena’s most consistent support systems, fueled entirely by love, donations, and volunteer power.

Krystal admires some local Dena art by a true Dena artist

Free healthy smoothies with fresh produce are available every Wednesday for anyone picking up groceries.

We Out Here Altadena officially launched in early 2025 with a simple mission: neighbors helping neighbors. The name itself is a rallying cry – we’re out here, together, and we’ve got you. Krystal, as CEO of Juicy Little Society, leads a team of local volunteers in creating what she calls a “true community marketplace” of free resources. This isn’t a top-down charity or a government program; it’s a grassroots mutual aid project in the purest sense. Many volunteers themselves survived the fire. Many recipients now volunteer to help others in turn. The lines of giver and receiver blur into one community family.

An small but dedicated army of volunteers organize and distribute thousands of pounds of food each week to those affected by the devestating Eaton Fire that destroyed much of Altadena, CA.

Each Wednesday We Out Here Altadena offers an impressive range of goods and services to anyone who shows up. A typical distribution includes free:

Fresh farmers’ market produce
Groceries and shelf-stable foods
Hot meals and drinks
Baby gear and supplies
Clothing and shoes
Toiletries and hygiene products
Household essentials
Resources & services like legal aid, FEMA support, and mental health referrals

Everything is arranged farmer’s-market style, allowing residents to shop with dignity for what their family needs. Krystal insists on this approach because it empowers people with choice. This isn’t a charity line – it’s your community market.

Healing Beyond Material Aid

Krystal doesn't just provide much-need groceries, but she also provides a caring ear for the many who now depend on her every week, many of whom are seniors from the surrounding neighborhood.

What Krystal Lopez has fostered in that burger stand parking lot is more than a relief effort; it’s a space for emotional and communal healing. After the immediate shock of the Eaton Fire faded from the news, many survivors felt adrift and forgotten. We Out Here Altadena became a weekly anchor – a place where people could exhale, share stories, and heal together. Gathering wasn’t a luxury or a distraction. It was recovery.

At each Wednesday event, you’ll see as many hugs and smiles as bags of food being handed out. Krystal makes a point to learn everyone’s name and story. Stories abound: scholarships for students, emergency drives, and spontaneous shows of solidarity when someone shares a new hardship. Krystal’s presence has created a support network where survivors lean on each other and rebuild.

Community Collaboration and the Power of “Neighbor-to-Neighbor” Aid

Krystal’s grassroots approach has attracted the support of many like-minded allies across Pasadena and Altadena. She’s partnered with regional food banks, mobile pantries, and groups like the Hollywood Food Coalition. Local leaders like future Pasadena Councilmember, Brandon Lamar, have volunteered and advocated for support. Nonprofits like Neighborhood Survants and Project Passion have provided additional outreach and logistics support. Libraries and schools stepped up with therapy resources, toy drives, and holiday events.

A standout supporter is MADE IN DENA. Its founder, Jason Hardin, recently met Krystal at the State of Black Dena event in November of 2025 and since has consistently backed Krystal’s work with custom-made gear, weekly appearances, and a shared vision of community empowerment.

MADE IN DENA Creator/Owner, Jason Hardin, poses in selfie with Krystal Lopez (We Out There) on a recent Wednesday at Fair Oaks Burger.

"When I heard Krystal speak at the State of Black Dena event and learned that she was the drive behind the weeekly resource distribution at Fair Oaks Burger, I knew I just had to get in her world. Since she does something so special for so many, I wanted to do something special for her. So, I created something I knew she'd love.", Hardin stated.

With that, MADE IN DENA recently designed a custom hot pink (the offical color of Krystal's brand) “Altadena Heartbeat” hoodie for Krystal and plans to release fundraising apparel to benefit We Out Here Altadena. Their collaboration shows how local culture, fashion, and activism can unite for lasting change.

Krystal Lopez (We Out There) show off her new custom MADE IN DENA gear.

Continuing the Mission: How You Can Help

The Eaton Fire recovery is far from over, and the need is still great. Krystal has pledged to keep showing up every week, but she can’t do it alone. Here’s how you can help:

Volunteer on Wednesdays at Fair Oaks Burger (2560 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena).
Donate in-kind supplies – food, clothing, diapers, hygiene items, and household goods.
Contribute funds directly to Juicy Little Society.
Spread the word – follow @missjuicylittle and @weoutherealtadena on Instagram, share their story, or offer professional skills and partnerships.

Krystal Lopez has shown us what one person with a mission and a whole lot of heart can do. She turned grief into fuel, hardship into hope, and a parking lot into a sanctuary. Altadena is healing – one Wednesday at a time. And there’s always room for one more hand, one more voice, and one more act of love.

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