Sudden Violence Disrupts Routine Outreach (Image Credits: Nypost.com)
Los Angeles — A longtime volunteer leader suffered severe injuries after an unprovoked assault at MacArthur Park while distributing meals to the homeless.[1][2]
Sudden Violence Disrupts Routine Outreach
On February 22, 2026, during a standard Sunday lunch service, Eva Woods faced a nightmare she never anticipated. An unknown woman approached her from behind without warning and struck her jaw with a metal pipe. Woods collapsed from the blow, which fractured both her upper and lower jaw and knocked out six teeth.[1]
Emergency responders rushed Woods to the hospital, where surgeons operated the next day to repair the damage. Her jaw remained wired shut for four weeks, delaying her return to the park. Organizers emphasized that the attacker appeared unfamiliar to regulars in the area, describing the incident as an isolated aberration.[2]
Years of Dedication to MacArthur Park’s Unhoused
Woods launched the MacArthur Project in 2020 amid pandemic-related service cuts, transforming it into a vital resource for Los Angeles’ unhoused population. The all-volunteer effort now delivers over 700 meals weekly across three shifts: Sunday and Monday lunches, plus Thursday breakfasts.
Beyond food, the group provides hygiene kits, tents, groceries, medical supplies, and hosts monthly events to address community needs. Woods managed these operations full-time, relying on Patreon support and partnerships with locals. She also balanced her role as a mother to daughter Stella Price, embodying selfless service for volunteers.[3][2]
- Sunday lunch service: Hundreds of hot meals
- Monday lunch: Continued support
- Thursday breakfast: Early aid
- Supply drives: Tents, hygiene items, groceries
- Special events: Tailored community assistance
Challenges Plague the Iconic Park
MacArthur Park has long grappled with entrenched homelessness, open drug markets, and mental health emergencies. The nearby Los Angeles Fire Department Station 11 logged 8,568 ambulance calls in the first eight months of 2025 alone, most tied to the park.[1]
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell noted that roughly one-third of department calls citywide—about 40 hourly—involve mental health crises, with hotspots like MacArthur Park and Skid Row contributing heavily. City efforts, including a $2.3 million fence and outreach expansions, aim to improve safety without restricting access. Volunteers like Woods persisted despite these risks, prioritizing aid over peril.[3]
Swift Community Backlash and Support
Catherine Schetina, a friend of over a decade, launched a GoFundMe campaign targeting $30,000 for dental implants and care. Donors exceeded the goal, raising $39,182 from 368 contributors, allowing Woods to focus on recovery.
“This woman, and this incident, are not representative of the culture of MacArthur Park,” Schetina wrote, underscoring the project’s commitment to continue.[2] Woods shared her resolve on Instagram: “I am healing and will be back in the park as soon as physically possible.”[1]
Key Takeaways
- Unprovoked attack highlights dangers in high-need areas.
- MacArthur Project’s work endures, serving 700+ meals weekly.
- Community rallied quickly, surpassing medical funding goals.
This assault underscores the perils faced by those aiding the vulnerable, yet Woods’ determination signals hope amid hardship. Volunteers vow to return, undeterred. What steps should cities take to protect such efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments.
