In-N-Out Burger has established a new nonprofit organization named the His Eyes Foundation, aimed at addressing homelessness in the nine states where the restaurant chain operates. The foundation is launching its initial fundraising campaign this month, encouraging customers to round up their purchases at In-N-Out locations in support of this cause. The company has pledged to match contributions three-to-one, up to a total of $300,000, during this campaign.
November has been designated as National Homelessness Awareness Month, making it a significant time for this initiative. The foundation was created by Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, owner and president of In-N-Out, along with her husband, Sean Ellingson, in memory of Sean’s late brother, Evan Ellingson. Evan, known for his role as Kyle on the television series “CSI: Miami,” passed away at the age of 35 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose in Fontana in 2023, as reported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
In a statement, Lynsi and Sean emphasized the foundation’s mission: “The His Eyes Foundation was born from the precious life of Sean’s brother and our beloved family member who strongly believed in the value of every human being, that every life deserves a chance, and every soul deserves to be seen.” They further outlined the foundation’s commitment to providing “hope, dignity, and essential resources” to individuals experiencing homelessness, emphasizing the importance of treating these individuals with respect and humanity.
Evan Ellingson’s philosophy, which encouraged viewing people experiencing homelessness through “God’s Eyes,” serves as a guiding principle for the foundation. The His Eyes Foundation aims to inspire “faith-based hope” while focusing on several key objectives: emergency relief, housing solutions, employment programs, and advocacy for those in need.
The His Eyes Foundation is the third charitable initiative supported by In-N-Out. The first, the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, was founded in 1984 by Esther and Rich Snyder, Lynsi’s grandmother and uncle, to combat child abuse and neglect. The second, named Slave 2 Nothing, was established by Lynsi and Sean in 2016, focusing on issues related to substance abuse and human trafficking. This initiative raises substantial funds annually through events that leverage In-N-Out’s strong Southern California brand.
A notable fundraising event for Slave 2 Nothing took place at the Hollywood Palladium in October, featuring a performance by In-N-Out’s “family band” as the opening act for the headlining group, Papa Roach. Additionally, a car cruise in Redondo Beach is scheduled for January 17, 2024, to raise funds for human trafficking prevention.
Like Slave 2 Nothing, the His Eyes Foundation will ensure that 100% of donations are directed to organizations actively working in communities served by In-N-Out. Currently, the chain operates restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, with plans to expand into Tennessee, where it is establishing an eastern hub.
The headquarters of In-N-Out is located in Irvine, California, though the company has announced intentions to relocate back to Baldwin Park, where it was originally founded in 1948, by the end of the decade.
For more information about the His Eyes Foundation and its initiatives, visit hiseyesfoundation.org or in-n-out.com/foundations.
