Thank you for helping us respond to the most dramatic increase in food insecurity in modern times. Thanks to you, by the end of the year, 900,000 people in Los Angeles County received monthly food assistance. Your partnership prevented children, seniors, families and individuals from going hungry.
2020 Annual Report
Review the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s 2020 Annual Report to learn more about pandemic response and donor highlights.
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Unprecedented need. Unprecedented response.
Dear Friends of the Food Bank,
Michael Flood
President
CEO
Whitney Jones Roy
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Read More >
Thank you for helping us respond to the most dramatic increase in food insecurity in modern times. Thanks to you, by the end of the year, 900,000 people in Los Angeles County received monthly food assistance. Your partnership prevented children, seniors, families and individuals from going hungry.
The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges worldwide, and here in Los Angeles County, we saw high levels of unemployment as entire industries felt the impact of the virus. The number of people coming to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and our Partner Agencies tripled in just a few months.
Thanks to generous donors and strong partnerships, the Food Bank was able to respond quickly and efficiently. Our gleaning and distribution processes rapidly transformed to meet new public health requirements and provide easier options for our Partner Agencies, such as the pre-packing of emergency food kits. Our Mobile Food Pantry distributions converted into “mega” drive-through distributions. We created a new delivery program to provide vulnerable populations, such as older adults, with kits delivered to their doorsteps.
Your support also allowed us to address urgent infrastructure needs. Even before the dramatic surge in demand, our warehouse space – already nearing capacity – increased significantly, thanks to the purchase of an additional facility in the City of Industry. After necessary renovations, this facility will allow us to address the critical issue of food insecurity in Los Angeles County more effectively.
We believe that no one should go hungry in LA County – not in regular times, and not during a natural disaster, such as a fire, earthquake or pandemic. Your generous and inspiring action during this critical time is more meaningful than you know. Not only did you make an immediate difference for people who would have otherwise faced hunger, but you also showed LA County that when times are hard, we can come together as a community to provide for one another.
On behalf of the entire Food Bank team and the people we serve, thank you for taking action in one of the most critical times in modern history.
Mission
To mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community.
Source and acquire food and other products and distribute to needy people through charitable agencies or directly through programs
Energize the community to get involved and support hunger relief
Conduct hunger education and awareness campaigns and advocate for public policies that alleviate hunger
Thanks to Your Generous Support in 2020
$282
Million
worth of food and product distributed.
174.6
Million
pounds of food and grocery products were distributed through our 700 Partner Agencies or Food Bank Programs.
143
Million
meals were distributed to hungry neighbors.
Vision
No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.
In 2020, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
and our partners helped
900,000
people each month.
The Covid-19 pandemic and related economic fallout generated unprecedented levels of demand for food assistance.
Food Banks are critical resources in normal times and even more so in times of disaster. Fires, earthquakes, pandemics and other unexpected situations can increase the demand for food assistance suddenly, as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry distributions transitioned to a drive-through format in order to reduce the risk of the virus transmission. These distributions also helped to take pressure off of our Partner Agency Network, where the majority of our food volume is distributed. Throughout 2020, COVID-19 mobile distributions were held throughout LA County from the Antelope Valley to Long Beach, Pomona to West San Fernando Valley and everywhere in between.
At the peak of the pandemic in 2020, food distribution increased 145% when compared to the pre-pandemic period. While continuing our daily work to provide much needed food throughout our community, the pandemic created a dramatic increase in the number of people coming to the Food Bank and our Partner Agency Network for assistance, including many people who were seeking food assistance for the very first time. More than 1.8 million emergency food boxes were distributed in 2020 in response to the unprecedented demand for food by families and individuals.
I know by getting the food here, we have food at home, and I know my rent’s paid.
Anonymous Food Recipient
Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Many older adults living on a fixed income are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, even before the pandemic.
When stay-home orders for seniors went into effect in March 2020, the Food Bank teamed up with other organizations to launch a home delivery program and supplement distributions of LA County senior meals with additional food items.
The Food Bank operates Senior Nutrition Programs to help older adults save money so they don’t have to skip meals to afford rent, utility bills or medicine. In 2020, the Food Bank distributed more than 311,000 Senior Nutrition food kits. We also launched the second phase of our Senior Expansion Program to increase both the food distributed to older adults and the capacity of partner agencies serving a high percentage of older adults
When you’re a Mom, you do anything you can for your children and your family. And every little bit goes a long, long way. And what the Food Bank provides, oh my goodness, it’s invaluable, especially when you have nothing else but what the Food Bank can provide you.
Araceli, Food Recipient
Investing in LA County's Future Generations
2020 was especially difficult for families with children.
The Food Bank operates a number of Children’s Nutrition Programs, including the BackPack, Children’s Breakfast, After-School Meals and Summer Lunch programs, which were forced to adapt with the onset of the pandemic. In 2020, the Food Bank worked with local school districts to supplement their “Grab and Go” meal distribution sites with fresh produce, dairy, meat and other food boxes, helping families struggling to feed themselves.
Rose's Story
“Before, I lived check by check, but now, it’s not a check. It’s a food box.”
Rose Rodriguez
Before being laid off from her position at the airport, Rose was making $20 per hour and, although she lived paycheck-to-paycheck, she had a full pantry. After the pandemic hit, she and her children lived “box-to-box.” Without these emergency food kits, it is unclear where Rose would have received sustenance for herself and her children. Fortunately, she was able to receive Food Bank Emergency Kits from our Partner Agency, the Salvation Army.
It’s hard to see your kids when they want to eat something and you have to say, I can’t provide that for you.
Bricia, Food Recipient
Help us fight hunger, including child hunger, by sponsoring one of our programs.
For more information, please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer, at rcastle@lafoodbank.org or by phone at (323) 234-3030 x 147
Partner Agencies
The LA Regional Food Bank works with 700 Partner Agencies to provide nutritious food throughout LA County. The Partner Agency Network, a critical component in the fight against hunger, truly stepped up during this dramatic increase in the need for food assistance.
Congregation Church of Chatsworth
Due to the high cost of living in LA County, many working individuals face food insecurity. The global pandemic and related economic fallout have forced many to seek food assistance for the first time. Thanks to our Partner Agency Network, we are able to support more people than ever before. One of those Agencies includes the Congregational Church of Chatsworth.
According to Ana Cardenas, Program Coordinator for the Congregational Church of Chatsworth, the number of people seeking food assistance increased 400% since the outbreak. “The amazing boxes standing behind me are the foundation of what we give every family that comes here,” said Cardenas. Thanks to your continued support, the Food Bank is able to provide continuous support to this Church and other local Food Pantries experiencing higher need.
One of the most interesting things that’s happened since the pandemic is many of them have never done this before. We have a lot of people who have been able to provide for their families and suddenly find themselves in a situation that they didn’t think would happen to them.
Ana Cardenas
Program Coordinator,
Congregational Church of Chatsworth
Immanuel Presbyterian
One of the Food Bank’s Partner Agencies, Immanuel Presbyterian in Koreatown, scaled up from one weekly food distribution to six when two other agencies in their neighborhood had to suspend operations due to COVID-19. The number of people they have helped at weekly distributions increased from 120 to more than 1,000 in just three weeks. Virginia Beaboa, Director of Operations, sees the food distributions as a way for the Church to meet the needs of the community. “We wanted to set up and meet the gap,” Beaboa said. “I have seen – especially in the past several weeks – just relief on their faces when we are able to help them meet a need for their families, their kids and their elderly.”
Due to the dramatic increase in need, our weekly distributions increased from 1 to 6, and we went from seeing 120 people each week to more than 1,000.
Virginia Beaboa
Director of Operations,
Immanuel Presbyterian Church
Events
RWQUARANTUNES
Two of Richard and Demi Weitz’s RWQuarantunes events benefited the LA Regional Food Bank. Early in the pandemic, the pair raised more than $340,000 for pandemic response. Early in 2021, they teamed up with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to raise more than $1.1 million.
SEASON FOR SHARING: VIRTUAL DINNER
At the 2020 virtual rendition of the 18th annual Season for Sharing event, emcee, Billy Harris, guided attendees through their delicious meal provided by some of Los Angeles’ Top Chefs. The event generated $145,000 to help the community.
FOOD FROM THE BAR
The 12th annual Food From The Bar campaign raised more than $600,000 in 2020. Thanks to Los Angeles’ generous legal community, the Food Bank was able to provide more than two million meals to those facing food insecurity.
TASTE OF THE RAMS
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank partnered with the Los Angeles Rams and Chef Steve Samson in hosting the 5th Annual Taste of the Rams virtual event. The event welcomed more than 400 guests and raised more than $100,000.
Kudos to the Food Bank for providing the opportunity for the Los Angeles legal community to contribute to our neighbors’ wellbeing during these very trying times. Even while working from home and social distancing, we were thrilled to continue the Food from the Bar tradition and support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
KATHLEEN MCDOWELL,
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
ABC7 & The Los Angeles Rams Spotlight
Early in the pandemic, ABC7 and the LA Rams helped generate funds equivalent to more than five million meals from a “TeLAthon” to generate financial support for the Food Bank and to energize the community to get involved in pandemic hunger relief. LA Rams players, Riot Games, Edison International, and many others made substantial financial contributions during this virtual event. The telethon was recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal, receiving the “Outstanding Collaboration Between a Business and a Nonprofit” award for 2020.
In addition to the telethon, the LA Rams partnered with the Food Bank on the fifth annual Taste of the Rams event. Chef Steve Samson prepared a delicious meal kit that was delivered to attendees, and Honorary Chair, Cooper Kupp and his teammates talked about football and their commitment to fighting hunger. More than 400 guests participated in the virtual event, which raised more than $100,000 for the Food Bank.
The LA Rams also hosted multiple distributions at their new SoFi Stadium, providing food to 7,500 families, and ABC7 hosted the 9th annual Feed SoCal event with Albertsons in June to raise food and funds for the Food Bank.
Building Hope:
The Campaign for a Brighter Future
This new building will allow the Food Bank to provide help to more people than ever before. The Food Bank will be able to expand essential programs that combat food insecurity and hunger. Initial renovations include upgrades such as a Volunteer Center, Nutrition Center, Refrigerated Loading Dock, New Fleet of Delivery Trucks and Partner Agency Network.
The Campaign for a Brighter Future was launched to raise $165 million by 2022. Contributions to the Campaign will provide the support necessary to increase the volume of food provided throughout LA County and increase the number of people we reach each month, ideally until our vision is achieved: no one goes hungry in LA County.
Give Hope
Make a lasting tribute by contributing to BUILDING HOPE: The Campaign for a Brighter Future. As a campaign supporter, you will make a positive impact by fighting food insecurity and hunger. Pledges of up to five years are accepted. Thank you for your consideration.
For naming opportunities and donor information, please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer.
rcastle@lafoodbank.org or (323) 234-3030 x 147
Team #WeFeedLA
Team #WeFeedLA is the Food Bank’s fundraising program for those who want to raise funds from their network of family, friends and colleagues to help food-insecure individuals in LA County. With the pandemic and its economic downturn, demand for food assistance grew within an already food-insecure community. #WeFeedLA and its online fundraising platform empowered so many in our community to safely and virtually help their neighbors and energize their networks to get involved and support hunger relief. The fundraising events through Team #WeFeedLA included launching campaigns, matching gifts from friends and family and holding fundraisers in honor of birthdays.
Thank you to our hunger heroes, each who raised more than $6,000!
Feed L.A.!
Nikalo Hunger
Gotta Have Face
Butterfly Equity
BlackLine Gives Back
Post Advisory Group Cares
Let’s Send Hunger Packing 2020
#LetsFeedLACounty
Team Larray
Zia Tile
Retired Employees of LA County (RELAC)
Our Community Fighting Hunger
Being Hungry Sucks
Keller Williams Beverly Hills
Team LA & LA Regional Food Bank
Paul Revere Community Service Club
LAX EAC Feds Feed Families Campaign 2020
Let’s Do Some Good!
UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP
Slalom LA – Partners for Good (PFG)
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles
graduAIDtion 2020
MGAC Fall 2020 LA Food Bank Fundraiser
The Paul Walker Foundation
Skydance COVID-19 Giving Campaign
CSI Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Velo Club LA Grange
Kairos Cares
ECM’s Birthday Fundraiser
Psomas Los Angeles
#timetogive
DLA Loves LA! COVID-19 Virtual
Food Drive
$10K Charity Challenge – #WeFeedLA
IATSE Tradeswomen Unite to Feed Families
Bianca’s 37th Annual Memorial of Her Birth Virtual Fundraiser to Raise Funds for the LA Food Bank
Quinn Emanuel Brings Meals and Holiday Cheer to Los Angeles Families
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles
has collaborated with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for more than a decade. In 2020, Le LyceeLA raised $10,200, equal to 40,800 meals for Food Bank families.
This year, we feel it is more critical than ever to reach out and support those in need. Even though we are not donating actual supplies, these monetary contributions will be used to purchase food and necessities for those who would otherwise be out.
DEB LONGUA-ZAMERO,
LycéeLA Community Service Chair
A shared mission of both the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the Los Angeles Chargers is supporting our community in times of need. The Food Bank does a tremendous job addressing the immediate needs of individuals struggling with hunger in LA County, and seldom are those issues more pronounced than during times of crisis. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was swift and devastating to so many of our neighbors, and it was critical for us to act quickly to ensure the Food Bank had ample resources for a proportional, timely response to the increased demand for assistance.
A.G. Spanos, Chargers President of Business Operations
The Johnny Carson Foundation is proud to support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Our foundation is a long time supporter and significantly increased our funding since the beginning of the pandemic because we realized the need for food assistance in our community dramatically increased.
Allan Alexander, President
“Riot Games has been a partner in the fight against hunger in LA for several years. Early in the pandemic when it became apparent that people were struggling more than ever, we felt compelled to increase our support, both from our families and through Riot.
Brandon Beck and Marc Merrill, Founders
Major Donors Spotlight
FRIESE FOUNDATION
“We are committed to sharing our good fortune to help others. When the Coronavirus pandemic began to impact those most vulnerable, we knew increasing our support of the Food Bank would have an immediate and significant impact on food distribution in the community. It was important to us to ensure that emergency food assistance would be available to children, seniors, families and others suffering the most. We care about making a difference in people’s lives, and the Food Bank has the capacity to reach thousands of people quickly.”
MARSHAL, JERRI AND OLIVER SAFRON
“We have supported the Food Bank for more than 10 years and knew that the organization would prove to be responsive and resilient in helping to provide food that would otherwise have gone to waste. We feel honored to support community members who need it most, especially children and seniors.”
DELTA DENTAL OF CALIFORNIA
“At the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, we believe that food security and health are deeply intertwined. By providing nutritious food to those in need, the Food Bank addresses the root cause of a host of health concerns, strengthening the health and wellbeing of our entire community.”
Kevin Ryan, Director
Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
At Barilla, it is our strong belief that good, nutritious food should be available to all. We are proud to be a partner of the LA Regional Food Bank since 2018, and remain committed to helping those who are food-insecure have access to the nutrition that they deserve.
Kat Reynolds
Barilla, Experiential Marketing
Honor Roll of Donors
Tomorrow Legacy Society
Founded to recognize donors who provide support through a bequest or planned gift
Top Product Donors
Volunteer Spotlight
ANTHONY ANDERSON
Anthony Anderson, star of ABC’s hit television show, “Black-ish,” and ambassador of Mercedes-Benz, volunteered to personally distribute some of the 40,000 meals that will be provided to those in need, thanks to a generous financial donation provided by Mercedes-Benz USA.
CHEF'S CIRCLE
Thank you to the amazing Los Angeles County Chefs for their continued support. In 2020, our community of Chefs helped us transition many of our events into virtual events where food was delivered to participants while they enjoyed the virtual presentations.
JAIME CAMIL & MATT BOMER
In August of 2020, actor and entertainer, Matt Bomer, and actor and director, Jaime Camil, joined volunteers at Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to kick off the “#FoodForThought” campaign.
Everyone can do something to help fight hunger.
Donate
Every $25 donated provides up to 100 meals for hungry children, families and seniors in our community.
Volunteer
Without the 15,000 volunteers in 2020 giving their time, the Food Bank would need to hire additional employees to meet the demand.
Donate in Honor or in Memory
Honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a friend or family member by making a tribute gift.
Start a #WeFeedLa Fundraiser
A #WeFeedLA team page is a fast, easy and convenient way to feed hungry neighbors in our community.
Join Our Monthly Giving Program
Through a monthly gift, you can alleviate hunger in LA County. $23 per month provides a year’s worth of food for a neighbor in need.
Join the Legacy Society
Planned giving involves planning for a future gift to the Food Bank through your financial and estate plans.
Advocate
The LA Regional Food Bank also engages with local, state and federal government to advocate for policy that would decrease the overall need for food assistance.
Have Your Gift Matched
Double your impact by having your gift matched by your company if your employer has a matching gift program.