During the year 2021, the Food Bank continued to face numerous challenges related to responding to the pandemic. The demand for food assistance remained at a record level throughout Los Angeles County. Thanks to strong support from food, volunteer, in-kind and financial contributions, the Food Bank was able to continue to reach an average of 900,000 people every month throughout 2021.
2021 Annual Report
Review the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s 2021 Annual Report to learn more about pandemic response and donor highlights.
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Building a Brighter Future
Dear Friends of the Food Bank,
Michael Flood
President
CEO
Whitney Jones Roy
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Read More >
Working with many partners, the Food Bank distributed more than 133 million pounds of food and product, valued at $200.9 million, to millions of families, older adults, children and individuals seeking assistance. The bottom line of our collective effort is to ensure that our neighbors don’t experience the devastating impact of hunger.
Our partnerships with the State of California, the County of Los Angeles, local cities, school districts and other organizations continued to strengthen during 2021, allowing us to reach more of our neighbors struggling to feed themselves and their families, especially in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
The Food Bank continued to increase the capacity of our more than 600 partner agencies by purchasing refrigerated vans and trucks, commercial refrigerators and freezers and other equipment needed for their sites. This increased capacity allows our partner agencies to acquire, store and distribute more perishable, frozen and other foods, helping more people seeking food assistance in their community. Our Extra Helpings Program continues to be an efficient food recovery model for our partner agencies to access nutritious food in their neighborhoods and distribute the food to people in need.
In 2019, the Food Bank launched a Comprehensive Campaign to pay for the acquisition of a 256,000 sq. ft. building in the City of Industry, the building improvements required for the building and for the Food Bank’s ongoing operations and programs. As of December 2021, we have raised $141 million of the $165 million goal, and we expect to reach our goal by the end of 2022. The Industry building has been critical to our pandemic response, and once the refrigeration and pallet racking has been installed and other improvements are made, this building will significantly increase the Food Bank’s capacity to serve the community.
We are heartened that we live in a community of so many generous people like you who have made hunger relief a priority, giving others hope for a better and brighter future. Thank you for your support of the Food Bank as we continue to mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community.
Mission
To mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community.
Source and acquire nutritious food and other products and distribute them to people experiencing nutrition insecurity through our partner agency network and directly through programs
Energize the community to get involved and support hunger relief
Conduct hunger and nutrition education and awareness campaigns and advocate for public policies that benefit the people we serve.
Thanks to Your Generous Support in 2021
$200.9
Million
worth of food and product distributed.
133
Million
pounds of food and grocery products were distributed through our 600 Partner Agencies or Food Bank Programs.
107
Million
meals were distributed to hungry neighbors.
Vision
No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.
In 2021, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
and our partners helped
900,000
people each month.
The Impact of COVID-19 Is Still Apparent in Our Community
Our ongoing pandemic relief continued in 2021, but new challenges emerged, including rising prices of everyday essentials, which exacerbated food insecurity in Los Angeles County. Serving communities from the Antelope Valley to Pomona to the South Bay, the Food Bank provided hundreds more of the drive-through distributions that were crucial at the pandemic’s peak. Combined with the everyday work of the Food Bank, these ongoing COVID-19 relief distributions reached millions of individuals and provided nutritious food when it was needed most.
235
Million Meals
Thanks to the support of our generous community, between March 2020 and December 2021, 289 million pounds of food, or 235 million meals and other essential items, were distributed to our neighbors in need.
Demonstrating Generosity
I have been very fortunate, and so giving back and supporting the Food Bank seems to me to be the right thing to do. I am proud to be a part of a community where everyone has their heart in the right place.
Charley Steiner
Radio Announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Fighting Child Food Insecurity in LA County
Los Angeles County is home to more food-insecure children than any other county in the United States
Experts report that students who experience food insecurity are more likely to suffer psychologically and academically. Keeping up with essential costs can be difficult for families, especially when school is not in session.
Alondra Flores, mother of three living with a total family of six, didn’t anticipate getting into an accident that temporarily immobilized her, impacting her job and ability to provide for her family. She turned to Food Bank partner agency, Central City Neighborhood Partners (CCNP), to access nutrition assistance for her family every week. When she had surgery and was bedridden, CCNP continued assisting by directly distributing food to her children. “I really don’t know how we would have gotten through it,” she said. “A family of six is a big thing, and the expense is pretty
big. No one is prepared for an accident like that. Nobody really prepares for an accident.”
With your continued support, the Food Bank and our partner agencies were able to provide food assistance to about 12,000 food-insecure children in LA County
I am very happy and grateful to everyone, CCNP, organizations, and everyone who is supporting us in this situation.
Alondra Flores, Food Recipient
Giving Children a Better Chance at a Brighter Future
FOX Corporation
“FOX is committed to serving and supporting our viewers, partners, employees and communities. We are proud to support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s BackPack Program to ensure that the children in our community receive the nutrition they deserve and need to live happier, healthier lives.”
Sue Kinzie
Vice President at Fox Corporation
Angel City Football Club
“The Angel City Football Club is committed to making an impact in the community in which we live and play. That is why we are proud to partner with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to provide food for children in our community, giving them the nutrition that they need to succeed in school and in life.”
Catherine Dávila
Head of Community, Angel City Football Club
Demonstrating Generosity
I was looking to go on the Wheel of Fortune for the fun of the experience, so I said to my wife, Caryn: If I win something, let’s give it away. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is one of two organizations that we supported with our winnings… and we are so pleased that the resulting publicity allowed us to amplify the benefits to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank by sharing the story of its life-saving services with a national audience.
Scott Kolbrenner
Winner, Wheel of Fortune
Seniors Faced Many Challenges in 2021
The pandemic reminded everyone that the senior community is one of our most vulnerable.
Many older adults who live on a fixed income are forced to make sacrifices in an effort to make ends meet. This often means having to decide between food, utilities or medicine.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is one of the largest programs of its kind. In 2021, CSFP distributed more than 329,000 food kits, serving an average of 28,000 seniors every month at 110 sites throughout the county.
Older adults were especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to our generous donors, volunteers, supporters and partners, the Food Bank was able to reach older adults in need through a delivery program as they stay safe at home.
A food recipient and recent widow at Food Bank partner agency Interfaith Food Center (IFC) in Santa Fe Springs explained how IFC staff and volunteers helped him through this trying and devastating time. For him, a distribution is “more than just a food program.”
Donor Spotlight
Ella Fitzgerald Foundation
“The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation was established to fulfill Ella’s desire to use the fruits of her success to help people of all races, cultures and beliefs. We have partnered with the Food Bank for 20 years to help our neighbors facing hunger in Los Angeles County. Our Building Hope campaign commitment to the Mobile Food Pantry, Children’s Nutrition Program and Senior Nutrition Program ensure that Ella’s legacy of assisting those in need lives on. Strengthening the health and well-being of those most vulnerable is a
meaningful way for us to support the community she loved so dearly.”
Randal Rosman
Vice President – Programs
Help Alleviate Hunger for Vulnerable Populations, Including Older Adults and Children
For more information, please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer, at rcastle@lafoodbank.org or by phone at (323) 234-3030 x 147
Philanthropists Making a Difference
Friese Foundation
“We care deeply about humanity, and it gives us great satisfaction to know that our leadership contributions to the Food Bank support the health and well-being of those who are less fortunate in Los Angeles County. Providing people facing hard times with access to nutritious food like salads, fruits, vegetables and protein aligns with many of our core family values, including showing kindness and compassion to others. We are honored to support the Food Bank vision: no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County. We wish to offer hope for a better and brighter future to the estimated two million individuals and families facing food insecurity in our community. Together #WeFeedLA.”
Donald, Andrea and DJ Friese
Mara Junot
“It’s vitally important that we do what we can to help those facing the challenging hardships of food insecurity. For almost 50 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been an invaluable resource to our community, and I’m proud to support them.”
Mara Junot
Voiceover Actor
Team #WeFeedLA
In 2021, supporters created almost 200 fundraisers and provided more than 1.2 million meals. Thank you to our Team WeFeedLA community for stepping up to alleviate hunger in LA County
Top Fundraiser of the Year
NOrthStar Moving Company
“Let’s send Hunger Packing 2021”
We started the “NorthStar Moving Let’s Send Hunger Packing” food drive to ensure kids have access to nutritious meals even during summer vacation. In nine years, our food drive has provided more than 485,000 meals. We will not stop until every child is well-fed and has the advantage of a well-nourished body primed and ready to learn. We are so grateful for the amazing work of the LA Regional Food Bank and everyone who helps make a difference in the lives of hungry children. We launched our virtual food drive this past June. Please join us so together we can Send Hunger Packing.
Laura McHolm
NorthStar Moving Co-Founder
Thank you to our top-performing campaigns
(Fundraisers raising more than $2,000)
#LetsFeedLACounty
Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
BE11EVE BRAND
CNM LLP
Cooley Cares Holiday Help
DJ & Sienna Bevan
DLA Loves LA! Virtual Holiday Food Drive
Equity Residential
Harbor Freight Tools Gives Back
In Loving Memory of Dominic Kwan Kit Chui
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente MLK Day Food Drive-W Los Angeles
KPMG LA BHM Fundraiser
Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles
MusickPeeler
Paul Revere Community Service Club
Penske Media Corporation
PUMP at UCLA
Retired Employees of LA County (RELAC)
Sant Nirankari Mission LA Food Drive
Schulze Haynes Loevenguth & Co.
Second Annual $10K Charity Challenge
Slalom LA – Partners for Good (PFG) 2021
Special Group LA
STAAR Surgical
Stratford Altadena
Team LA and LA Regional Food Bank
Team z
Terrance J. Evans’ Birthday Fundraiser
Tony and Tanya’s Wedding
Turner Construction SoCal
Weinstock Family Thanksgiving Fund
Wilson Sonsini’s Holiday Campaign
Ziffren Brittenham LLP
Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams Fight Hunger In Their Community
The LA Rams continued their incredible support in 2021, and proved they are champions both on and off the field. In addition to partnering with the Food Bank for another Taste of the Rams event, the Rams continued to host distributions at their new home stadium, where multiple players, cheerleaders and staff gave back to the community. Thanks to their partnership, hundreds of thousands of people have received food assistance over the years. Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams on their championship year, and their amazing impact in LA County.
Congratulations to Andrew Whitworth!
Andrew Whitworth was named 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The Walter Payton award is presented to a player in recognition of his outstanding community service activities off the field and excellence on it. Not only is Andrew a strong supporter of the Food Bank, he has also attended the Taste of the Rams event and made a generous financial donation to help provide one million meals to the community.
“Between our Super Bowl win and another successful year supporting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the Los Angeles Rams had a tremendous season on and off the field. I am proud to serve as the honorary chair for the Food Bank’s annual Taste of the Rams event, which provides financial support to the Food Bank so they can continue to fight hunger in our community.”
Cooper Kupp
Triple Crown and Super Bowl MVP, Honorary Chair for Taste of the Rams
“The Los Angeles Rams are dedicated to our community and share the vision of the Food Bank that no one should go hungry in Los Angeles County. We are proud to support the Food Bank through financial and volunteer support, partnering in large-scale food distributions at SoFi Stadium, and supporting the Mobile Food Pantry program.”
Molly Higgins
Vice President, Community Affairs and Engagement
Coming Together to Fight Hunger in Our Community
The Los Angeles Chargers
Thank you to the LA Chargers for helping the Food Bank pack emergency food kits for families in need. We’d especially like to thank Justin Herbert, quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers and Pro Bowl Offensive MVP, who donated $25,000 to the Food Bank. This funding provides 100,000 meals to children, seniors, families and individuals in LA County.
The Los Angeles Clippers
The Food Bank is grateful to the LA Clippers for collaborating with us and other community partners to host a drive-through food distribution event at The Forum, where 1,400 food-insecure families received meals. The team offered a helping hand in loading cars with emergency food kits assembled with dry goods and fresh produce.
The Los Angeles Dodgers
Thank you, Los Angeles Dodgers, for providing so much support when the community needed it most. In February of 2021, the LA Dodgers Foundation teamed up with Richard and Demi Weitz for RWQuarantunes, raising enough funds to provide millions of meals to those in need. During the event, El DeBarge, Robin Thicke, Guns N’ Roses, Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick of Fitz & the Tantrums and in-person and virtual VIP guests created an unforgettable event.
Events
Taste of the Rams
The 6th Annual Taste of the Rams virtual event brought together 500 hunger-relief advocates to benefit the Food Bank. The funds raised will help provide the equivalent of nearly one million meals for those experiencing food insecurity in LA County. Honorary Chair and LA Rams receiver Cooper Kupp helped kick off the event alongside Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network and Top Chef Steve Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza.
Season for Sharing
The 19th Annual Season for Sharing was held virtually for the second year in a row with returning event producer Paul Vitagliano and host, Billy Harris, navigating guests through a specially-curated multi-course meal presented by awardwinning chef and restaurateur Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium. The event celebrated many different hunger relief advocates, from donors and individuals to community partners who helped to alleviate hunger in LA County throughout the year.
Food From the Bar
The 13th annual legal community Food From the Bar campaign raised nearly $625,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in 2021. This generous donation will help the Food Bank and our partner agency network provide more than 2.5 million healthy meals to families and people throughout Los Angeles County
Feed SoCal
The LA Regional Food Bank teamed up with ABC7, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Subaru, ESPN LA 710, generous shoppers and donors for the 10th Annual Feed SoCal Food Drive Event. The event raised $77,225 and more than 28,000 pounds of food, helping to provide up to 3.6 million nutritious meals.
Help us provide food resources to food-insecure children, families, seniors and individuals by sponsoring one of our drive-through or Mobile Food Pantry distributions.
For more information, please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer, at rcastle@lafoodbank.org or by phone at (323) 234-3030 x 147
LA Regional Food Bank Partner Agencies
The majority of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s food and grocery products are distributed through a network of 600 partner agencies.
One of those agencies is Eastmont Community Center.
When Brenda Mata was eight years old growing up in East Los Angeles, she recalls someone coming over to visit them around the holiday season. The stranger was delivering a box full of toys, food, snacks and pizza – an all-time favorite among children. She and her brother were excited to receive such a generous gift.
Growing up, Mata didn’t realize her family was food insecure. Her parents made sure that their children were fed and full every day, but they themselves would, at times, go to bed or work hungry and with the lingering thought of whether or not they would be able to provide a meal for their children the next day.
Years passed, and Mata became a teacher. Looking to give back to her community, Mata was presented with the opportunity to become the Program Coordinator at the Food Bank partner agency, Eastmont Community Center, and without hesitation, she accepted the position.
Veronica Castro, 2021 Tony Collier Award Winner representing Interfaith Food Center (IFC)
Eric, a Long Beach Rescue Mission graduate, prepares food for distribution
Patricia, food recipient at Central City Neighborhood Partners
Partner Agency Highlight
“I just remember kind of catching myself – I didn’t even know,” Mata said. “I ended up in the same place that helped us. For me, it’s always been important to give back.”
Building Hope:
The Campaign for a Brighter Future
Thanks to the support of more than 100,000 generous donors, the LA Regional Food Bank has nearly reached our ambitious goal of raising $165,000,000!
Launched in 2019 to expand programs and facilities, the Building Hope Campaign has increased the Food Bank’s overall reach from 300,000 individuals and families each month to 900,000. By investing in equipment, staff and facilities, including a new distribution center in the City of Industry, the Food Bank is closing more of the hunger gap than ever before.
Thank you to our Campaign Cabinet
Donald Goodman
Co-Chair
Robert & Jane Ettinger
Co-Chairs
Keith Addis
Michael Flood
Brian & Karen Hennigan
Susan Leonard
Michael Montgomery
Robert Perille
Whitney Jones Roy
Mark Stegemoeller
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the Building Hope Campaign.
Please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer, for more information:
rcastle@lafoodbank.org or (323) 234-3030 x 147
“The Building Hope Campaign is an incredible match for the Foundation’s mission, and there is strong alignment between the naming opportunity of the Conference Center and one of our focus areas being Education. We believe the investment in Building Hope will have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of people facing food insecurity and hunger in Los Angeles County.”
Amanda Freeberg Donovan
Executive Director, Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation
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
Global Angel Wings Project - Barilla
Barilla, a proud supporter of the Food Bank since 2018 and sponsor of the Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) Program, commissioned world-renowned artist, Colette Miller, to install one of her famous Global Angel Wings Project murals in the Food Bank’s volunteer center.
Mary Connors: Volunteer, Monthly Donor
As a young child, Mary Connors didn’t realize that her family was struggling financially. Now that she’s older, she knows what thousands of families are going through, and it inspires her to volunteer and donate monthly.
John Stamos and the Cast of Big Shot
In June of 2021, John Stamos, Caitlin McHugh, Jessalyn Gilsig, Monique Green and Tiana Le volunteered at a LA Regional Food Bank partner agency distribution to provide much-needed food and nutrition assistance before the Father’s Day holiday. In just a few hours, the team helped roughly 300 families.
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
In 2021, 12,000 volunteers gave their time and energy to the Food Bank. Without these volunteers, the Food Bank would need to hire additional full-time employees in order to meet the demand. Become a Hunger Hero who helps make our work possible.
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.