Project Angel Food

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Project Angel Food is a nonprofit agency in Los Angeles County which provides free and nutritious meals for men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.[1] Since its creation, the agency has provided nearly 8 million meals to thousands of people struggling with life-threatening illnesses.

Early history

Project Angel Food was started in 1989 by Marianne Williamson,[2] and Jon Gould, who was the chef at one of the first restaurants to donate to the Project.[3]

Finances

As at 2011, the Project had approximately 7% government funding. At that time it was estimated it cost $5 million per year to run, including 21 full-time staff and 6 part-time staff. The Project partnered with Community Gardens to cut the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables after their revenue dropped from approximately $5.6 million in 2008 to $4.3 million in 2010.[4]

Fund raising and community interaction

Project Angel Food has been running a fundraiser, called the Angel Awards, since 1995.[5]

The agency provided assistance in the production of Paul Lekakis' film Don't tell, Don't ask by recruiting activists Bruce Vilanch, Harvey Fierstein and Whoopi Goldberg to provide commentaries.[1]

Time-line

  • 1989 The Project Angel Food Program is founded by Marianne Williamson as an outreach program of the Los Angeles Center for Living. Daily meals served = 15.
  • 1990 The Project Angel Food Program moves into the kitchen of the Crescent Heights United Methodist Church. The first "Angel Art," chaired by Berry and Anthony Perkins, raises over $540,000. Daily meals served = 90. Alias Records releases Acoustic Music Project, an album of songs benefiting Project Angel Food, featuring artists such as Penelope Houston, Ed Haynes, Alex Chilton, American Music Club and many others.
  • 1992 Elizabeth Taylor's AIDS Foundation provides Project Angel Food its first grant of $150,000. Daily meals served = 350.
  • 1993 The Center for Living formally changes its name to Project Angel Food and moves its offices to an old production office on Sunset Boulevard.
  • 1996 Meal delivery expands to include Long Beach. Daily meals served = 750.
  • 1998 Kitchen begins frozen meal delivery to allow clients to fit their meal schedule to their medicine regimen. Staff includes 34 full-time and 17 part- time employees. Daily meals served = 900.
  • 1999 Two millionth meal served. Elizabeth Taylor agrees to accept Angel Award. Daily meals served = 1,200.
  • 2000 Project Angel Food opens a satellite kitchen in the city of Compton.Daily meals served = 1,116
  • 2001 Whoopi Goldberg is honored at Angel Awards. Elizabeth Taylor returns to Project Angel Food to present the honor.
  • 2002 Total meals served in 2002 = 412,446. Average daily meals served = 1,129.
  • 2003 Steve Bing donates funds to create a television public service announcement featuring basketball star Rick Fox encouraging people to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and discrimination, and to support Project Angel Food. Average daily meals served = 1,028.
  • 2004 A six-month "Breakfast Program" pilot is implemented to provide a second meal to 35 clients who need it most. Average daily meals served = 1054. Total meals served through 2004 = 3,720,538.
  • 2005 City of Los Angeles, with the strong support of Councilman Tom LaBonge, provides Project Angel Food with $400,000 federal grant for purchase of new building/. project Angel Food volunteer board of directors launches $5 million capital campaign. 4 millionth meal is delivered from the Sunset Boulevard facility. Pilot breakfast program is expanded to bring meals to those most in need, as dertermined by the agency's dieticians.
  • 2006 Project Angel Food purchases a building at 922 Vine Street in Hollywood for its new permanent home.
  • 2007 Shirley MacLaine and Xorin Balbes are honored at Angel Awards.
  • 2008 The agency's kitchen receives a perfect 100% score from the Los Angeles County Department of Health. Margaret Steele takes over the helm from long-time leader John Gile as the new CEO.
  • 2009 The agency celebrates its 20th year of service to the Los Angeles community.
  • 2010 Urban Garden program is initiated to grow and harvest fruits and vegetables in community gardens and plots of vacant city land with the help of volunteers for use in meals for people served.
  • 2011 Nearly 8 million meals have been served since the agency's creation.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Adams, Bob (February 2005). "Man of Confidence". HIV Plus 8 (1): 40. 
  2. ↑ A Life on Fire: Living Your Life with Passion, Balance and Abundance. Enlightened Alliances, LLC. ISBN 9780977075300. 
  3. ↑ McLellan, Dennis (19 March 2003). "Founder of mothers' anti-war group dies". The Spokesman Review. Retrieved 7 December 2013. 
  4. ↑ Driggs, Alexis (2 December 2011). "Project Angel Food Cuts Costs, Saves Nutrition". Neon Tommy. University of Southern California. Retrieved 7 December 2013. 
  5. ↑ Higgins, Bill (16 August 2011). "'GLEE' EXEC TO BE HONORED AT PROJECT ANGEL FOOD'S 'ANGEL AWARDS'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 December 2013. 
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