In 2023, as the Food Bank celebrated 50 years of service, we responded to numerous challenges that kept the demand for food assistance from families and individuals throughout Los Angeles County at an elevated level, primarily due to the cumulative impact of inflation and the high cost of living locally. Thanks to the strong support of food, volunteer, in-kind and financial contributions, the Food Bank and our partner agencies served an average of 874,000 people per month throughout 2023.
2023 Annual Report
Review the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s 2023 Annual Report to learn more about pandemic response and donor highlights.
2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Making Hunger History
Dear Supporters,
GARY KIRKPATRICK
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Michael Flood
President
CEO
Read More >
Working with many partners, the Food Bank acquired and distributed more than 116 million pounds of food and product, valued at $214 million, to families, older adults, children and individuals seeking assistance. In addition, the Food Bank’s Nutrition Education, CalFresh Outreach, Children’s Nutrition and Senior Nutrition programs expanded their reach and service thanks to increased financial support for these programs.
The Food Bank continued to increase the capacity of our partner agencies by purchasing refrigerated vans and trucks, commercial refrigerators and freezers and other equipment needed for their sites. This increased capacity allows our agency partners 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 agency partners to access nutritious food in their neighborhoods and distribute people in the community.
The Food Bank also completed the installation of refrigeration and other building improvements in our 256,000 sq. ft. building in the City of Industry. This work has significantly increased the Food Bank’s capacity to serve the communities of Los Angeles County for years to come.
The goal of our collective efforts is to ensure that our neighbors do not experience the devastating impact of hunger. We are heartened that we live in a place that is the home of so many generous people like you who have made hunger relief a priority, giving those in our community hope for a better and brighter future. Thank you for supporting the Food Bank as we continue to mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community.
Your Impact in 2023
$205.3
Million
worth of food and product distributed.
116.7
Million
pounds of food and grocery products were distributed through our Partner Agency Network or Food Bank Programs.
93
Million
meals were distributed to hungry neighbors.
Vision
No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.
In 2023, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
and our partners helped 800,000 people each month.
Fifty Years of Fighting Hunger
Celebrating 50 years of impact, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has delivered more than 1.6 billion meals – an astounding 2 billion pounds of food – to people across LA County. At the heart of this remarkable journey stands Tony Collier, the visionary founder whose dedication and ingenuity laid the foundation for our mission. Starting with humble beginnings at the Grandview Foundation, Tony’s passion for helping others drove him to pioneer food redistribution, foreseeing the potential for surplus donations to alleviate hunger. With tireless determination and the support of his wife Pat, Tony began his fight against hunger armed only with a pickup truck and a garage. Tony’s legacy lives on as we continue to expand our reach, guided by his unwavering commitment to community service. Tony Collier’s story is a testament to the transformative power of one individual’s compassion. Thanks to people and organizations across Los Angeles County who also recognize the impact they can have in their community, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is making hunger history.
Investing in Our Future
“Students who are more comfortable and well nourished are always going to be more receptive to being in the classroom and more focused on the work.”
Fleming Robertson
Principal, Mayo Elementary
Children's Nutrition
Providing assistance to nutrition-insecure children is crucial for their growth, development, and overall well-being. Many children facing food insecurity are at risk of malnutrition, which can have long-lasting effects on their physical and cognitive development. By providing access to nutritious meals, we not only address immediate hunger but also support children in reaching their full potential academically and socially.
In addition to providing food to families and children through partner agency distributions, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank provides meals through the BackPack Program, and breakfast and lunch programs.
FOX CORPORATION
“Fox Corporation is proud to continue its significant support of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s BackPack program to help feed children facing food insecurity in Los Angeles County. Fox Corporation is sponsoring Main Street Elementary and Mayo Elementary Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District so kids have nutritious food to eat over the weekends.”
-Sue Kinzie, Vice President, Corporate Communications
“It helps a lot to get these meals and have them eat less junk food – these are healthy options,” said Yaricia Escobar. “I just want to say thank you because you are helping many kids get food to eat.”
Helping Older Adults
Providing food assistance to older adults, especially those grappling with medical bills and living on fixed incomes, is essential for ensuring their well-being and dignity. Many older adults face difficult choices between purchasing essential medications, paying bills, and accessing nutritious food. By extending a helping hand through food assistance programs, we not only alleviate immediate hunger but also provide vital support for overall health and quality of life. Our generous donors enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults, offering them hope, nourishment, and the assurance that they are not alone in their journey.
Julia Fahrer has faced numerous challenges. After experiencing a brain injury and homelessness, she now lives on a tight budget. Attending a local food pantry’s distribution is essential, as she lacks a fixed grocery budget. Due to jaw surgery, she relies on blended meals made from donated food. Despite her hardships, Julia’s resilience shines through as she navigates these difficult circumstances.
This support helps us with our budget. We can make full meals from the veggies alone. Sometimes, they’ll have diapers too. I have a grandson who is premature. Thank you so much because it does help us a lot.
Donor Spotlight
“We consider ourselves fortunate to contribute to our community by supporting the distribution of millions of healthy meals to children, families, and seniors across LA County. Volunteering at the Food Bank with our children is not only enjoyable but also serves as a valuable lesson in giving back to the community by demonstrating the importance of providing a helping hand to those who are less fortunate and preparing them to be future leaders and supporters of hunger relief. Together, #WeFeedLA.“
—Robert and Claire Keane
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
Thank You,
Team #WeFeedLA!
Congratulations to Jim Yukevich, who has worked with his family, friends, and colleagues to raise substantial funds, allowing the Food Bank to provide millions of meals to people across Los Angeles County. By leveraging his network and leading by example, Jim embodies the spirit of generosity and community engagement, inspiring others to join in our cause.
Top Fundraiser of the Year
Jim Yukevich Fundraising Campaign
Fighting food insecurity during a pandemic has allowed community members to think outside the box to rally their network of family, friends and colleagues to help families in need. Through Team #WeFeedLA, our online fundraising platform, we have witnessed unmatched creativity, kindness and compassion in the form of campaign launches, matching gifts, birthday fundraisers and more. We are inspired by those who stepped up during a critical time to get involved and to energize those around them to help combat the growing food-insecure problems in LA County.
Thank you to our top-performing campaigns
(Fundraisers raising more than $1,000)
Adrine and Ernest
Alan Taylor
AMA Group
Billie Eilish Tours
Cedar Sinai
Compass Real Estate
CSI Electrical Contractors Inc.
Doug Levy
Gallagher
HED LA
In Memory of Jeff Schnaufer
John Frost
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles
MusickPeeler
NorthStar Moving
Sarah Brown
Sedale Threatt Jr
Skydance Media
STAAR Surgical
Susan Krebs
The Energy Coalition
Wilson Sonsini Holiday Drive
“We looked at the needs in the community and feel privileged to have found an organization where we can aid in their goal of providing help to the families of Los Angeles County.”
– Madeleine Heil and Sean Petersen
“We consider ourselves fortunate to contribute to our community by supporting the distribution of millions of healthy meals to children, families, and seniors across LA County. Volunteering at the Food Bank with our children is not only enjoyable but also serves as a valuable lesson in giving back to the community by demonstrating the importance of providing a helping hand to those who are less fortunate and preparing them to be future leaders and supporters of hunger relief. Together, #WeFeedLA.”
– Robert and Claire Keane
Events
Food From the Bar
The annual fundraising and volunteering campaign,Food From the Bar, engages legal firms, law schools and legal services organizations in a friendly competition to raise funds, collect food and volunteer hours, benefiting the LA Regional Food Bank’s mission to combat child hunger during the summer months, having raised over $6 million since its inception in 2009.
Taste of the Rams
Renowned chefs, LA Rams players, including Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, and guests gathered at SoFi Stadium for the eighth annual Taste of the Rams, raising crucial funds for the LA Regional Food Bank’s mission to combat hunger.
A Million Reasons
The second annual A Million Reasons Dinner featured superstar LA Chefs and celebrity sous chefs, including Jeff Goldblum, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Dylan McDermott, and Sam Waterston, and showcased an exclusive performance by Gladys Knight. The event was hosted by Keri Selig and Keith Addis and raised funds for the LA Regional Food Bank.
Season for Sharing
The 2023 Season for Sharing at Omni Hotel Los Angeles celebrated key contributors in the fight against hunger, featuring Michelle Fisher, ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor, as emcee, highlighting the LA Regional Food Bank’s impactful partnerships and recognizing significant donors and organizations.
More of Events
Feed SoCal
The 12th Annual Feed SoCal Food Drive, a collaborative effort by LA Regional Food Bank, ABC7, and others raised funds and facilitated food donations to combat food insecurity, supporting the 2 million individuals, children, individuals and families facing hunger in LA County.
Coming Together for Food Distributions
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is grateful to the Los Angeles professional athletes and athletic organizations that gave back to their community in 2023, including the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Chargers, and others.
Help for the Hungry
NBC4 and Telemundo’s annual Help for the Hungry campaign returned in the fourth quarter of 2023, supporting local food banks and providing meals to families throughout Southern California. This year, they included a food distribution at Eastmont Community Center, a partner agency of the LA Regional Food Bank.
Michael Schur and Jennifer Philbin
“We love this city, and this community, and are happy that our monthly contributions help provide nutritious meals to thousands of families facing food insecurity. We are proud to support an organization that makes such a difference in the lives of so many.”
Campaign Update
The LA Regional Food Bank’s Distribution Center in the City of Industry represents a significant step forward in the fight against hunger in Los Angeles County. Thanks to strong donor support, renovations are underway to expand programs and increase capacity, with a notable increase in food distribution from 80 million pounds in 2019 to 116.7 million pounds in 2023. Key milestones include the completion of the refrigerator and freezer area, volunteer engagement center, and food rescue center, ensuring efficient operations and resource utilization. Named areas offer giving opportunities for supporters, reflecting the Food Bank’s commitment to building hope and serving the community’s needs. Visit LAFoodBank.org/building-hope for more information.
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
Honor Roll of Donors
Tomorrow Legacy Society
Founded to recognize donors who provide support through a bequest or planned gift
Top Product Donors
Donors who include the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in their estate plan are helping the Food Bank mobilize resources to fight hunger in LA County. Planned Giving donors, including those who have joined the Legacy Society, ensure that the Food Bank can impact those we serve well into the future.
“I worked hard in my career, and I saved some money,” Tami said. “I definitely have family to leave it to, but you can do both. I really want to feel that I’ve made some positive mark on the world. In addition to helping my family, I want to help my community.”
Tami Smason
Volunteer Spotlight
Paul White
I volunteer my time and contribute financially to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank because I believe in their vision that no one should go hungry in our community. I am proud to know that my efforts with the Food Bank help provide nutritious meals to those individuals and their families that are facing food insecurity.
Everyone can do something to help fight hunger.
Volunteer
Tens of thousands of 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 charged automatically to your credit card or other payment account, you can alleviate hunger in LA County. Your gift allows us to provide nutritious meals all year long.
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.