Valentine’s Day Feed-In Makes Life Sweeter for Animals

Boxed chocolates are a Valentine’s Day cliché, and unfortunately for our animal friends, one that typically contains cow’s milk. That’s why Compassion Over Killing volunteers in Los Angeles gathered in bustling downtown Culver City to serve up scrumptious, cruelty-free chocolates—and to show that dairy isn’t necessary to make a treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth and dazzle your sweetheart.

Volunteers Kelly Boston, Stefani Aguallo, Alexis Antonelli Morris, Jessica Spain, and Brandilyn Tebo handed out nearly 350 vegan truffles made with Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe’s (Oreo-like cookie sandwiches), non-dairy cream cheese, and hand-dipped in melted semi-sweet chocolate. Along with these delectable candies, shoppers received copies of our brand new Vegetarian Guide to Los Angeles and a Compassionate Choices brochure.

Volunteers got a kick out of seeing people’s faces transform from skepticism to pleasure upon tasting a treat. One man described them as “deeply dangerous,” one woman called them “sinfully delicious,” and countless people could only utter the word “Wow!” when they were told they were eating a vegan delicacy. Several people came back for seconds, and almost everyone asked for the recipe—which can easily be tweaked for other special occasions (add nuts or a flavored extract, or substitute peanut butter for the cookies).

More photos are on Facebook, and check our calendar to sign-up for our next feed-in. Because nothing is sweeter than helping animals!