From a dinner table to a movement.
Eat. Learn. Play. has grown a lot since 2019 — but the why has never changed. Here's how it happened.
2020
Showing up in a crisis
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts schools and families across Oakland, Eat. Learn. Play. mobilizes its network of corporate and community partners to deliver meals and essential resources where they're needed most. The pace and scale of that response sets the tone for everything that follows.
2021
The Eat. Learn. Play. bus hits the road
In September 2021, the Bus launches as a first-of-its-kind mobile resource center — part food pantry, part library, part block party — bringing fresh produce, books, and joy directly into Oakland neighborhoods. To date, the Bus has delivered more than 140,000 books into the hands of Oakland kids.
2022
Schoolyards take root
In partnership with Oakland Unified School District and KABOOM!, Eat. Learn. Play. begins transforming Oakland's elementary school campuses into vibrant, kid- designed schoolyards. What were once acres of asphalt become spaces of climbing, growing, and gathering — designed by the kids who use them.
2023
An expanded vision
Eat. Learn. Play. announces an enhanced commitment to OUSD: ensuring all 35,000 OUSD students have access to nutritious meals, literacy support, and great places to play. The Whole Child, Whole School approach becomes the formal framework for the work.
2024
A historic literacy commitment
Eat. Learn. Play. pledges a $25 million, five-year investment to close Oakland's literacy gap — delivering 10,000 tutoring opportunities by 2029 and providing intensive 1:1 support for students who are furthest behind.
2025
When Oakland needs us, we show up
When Oakland's long-standing summer meal program is suddenly halted, Eat. Learn. Play. moves quickly with partners including the East Bay Community Foundation to deliver meals at schools, camps, and community locations across the city. No child goes without.
Today
Still building.
25+ million meals served. 1+ million books placed. 24 schoolyards transformed. $100+ million invested. And we're just getting started.
2019
The foundation is born
Stephen and Ayesha Curry launch Eat. Learn. Play., committing to fund all overhead costs personally so that 100 percent of donations go directly into programming. The focus from day one: Oakland.