Project Angel Food

Project Angel Food Program was founded by Marianne Williamson in 1989 as an outreach program of the Los Angeles Center for Living, which helps people with life-threatening illnesses. The Center for Living provides numerous programs, such as The Clean Team, Project Nightlight and Hospice Care. The program also prepares lunch for drop-in clients, but as fewer and fewer are able to leave their homes, lunch is delivered to them. Louise Hay, Marianne Williamson and David Kessler held the first fundraiser, bringing in $11,000. Daily meals served = 15.

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The first "Angel Art," chaired by Berry and Tony Perkins, raises over $540,000. The Center for Living opens offices on Robertson Boulevard.

The Center for Living formally changes its name to Project Angel Food and moves its offices to an old production office on Sunset Boulevard. The second "Angel Art" is held at the Pacific Design Center. John Gile joins as Executive Director. Leonard Nimoy donates the first agency van. Project Angel Food obtains its first-ever government grant. Project Angel Food has 13 people on staff. Meals continue to be prepared at the Crescent Heights United Methodist Church. Daily meals served = 490.

In 1999, the two millionth meal was served. Elizabeth Taylor agrees to accept Angel Award. Project Angel Food pays tribute to 10 years of volunteers. Records indicate over 20,000 people had volunteered. Over 30,000 known cases of people living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles. Daily meals served = 1,200.

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 Tony Perkins, raises over $540,000. Daily meals served = 90.
• 1991 Daily meals served = 250.
• 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.
• 1994 Daily meals served = 650.
• 1995 Daily meals served = 700.
• 1996 Meal delivery expands to include Long Beach. Daily meals served = 750.
• 1997 Daily meals served = 850.
• 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 Loreen Joy Arbus donates $100,000. 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.