It is estimated that roughly 2 million of LA County’s 10 million people face food insecurity, and there are more hungry children in LA County than in any other county in America.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people seeking food assistance from the LA Regional Food Bank and the 700 organizations making up the Food Bank’s Partner Agency Network grew from 300,000 to 900,000 each month. As of July 2021, that’s 3x more people than before the pandemic, and nearly 1/10th of LA County’s entire population.
Fortunately, Los Angeles County is a generous one. The people of Los Angeles County came together to help those in need by donating funds to the Food Bank. While the Food Bank’s donor information is protected with the strictest confidentiality, it is safe to say that many major celebrities also donated and/or volunteered their time.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is no stranger to celebrity volunteers, and the COVID-19 pandemic saw many familiar faces step up to help those in need during the crisis.
*Listed in reverse chronological order, as of July 1 2021
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At St. Ferdinand in San Fernando, California, the LA Regional Food Bank distributes food two times each month through our Mobile Food Pantry program, and this site has hosted more than a few celebrities, including John Stamos and the cast of his new Disney+ show, Big Shot.
Get involved in the fight against hunger and volunteer with the Food Bank!
Scott Kolbrenner won 145,000 on Wheel of Fortune and donated all of his earnings to charity – half of it going to the LA Regional Food Bank. Read the full story here >
While these may not be television personalities, the LA Regional Food Bank has had many government officials volunteer, and support the Food Bank in other ways. Representative Adam Schiff, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the State of California Chief Volunteer Officer Josh Fryday have all visited the Food Bank – some multiple times. Los Angeles County Supervisors also partnered with the Food Bank to provide more than 100 emergency drive-thru distributions to those who were impacted by the pandemic’s economic downturn.
Malin Akerman has volunteered with the LA Regional Food Bank numerous times, and before Christmas 2020, she and her son distributed fresh oranges, shelf-stable items and frozen protein to people at one of the Food Bank’s walk-up Mobile Food Pantry (MFP) distributions. To learn more about the Mobile Food Pantry Program, visit our website.
Anthony Anderson, best known from Black-ish, To Tell the Truth and dozens of other films and television shows, volunteered to distribute turkeys before Thanksgiving when many families were not sure if they would have a Thanksgiving at all. Food recipients were excited to see Anthony, and also to receive a Thanksgiving turkey.
Just before Thanksgiving of 2020, Alisan Porter visited the LA Regional Food Bank with staff members from Walmart for a special segment on NBC’s “The Voice.” Porter and some of her colleagues packaged and loaded food to raise awareness for the high levels of need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. View the original story here >
NFL Network host, Andrew Siciliano is no stranger to the Food Bank. He donates his talents each year by serving as the master of ceremonies for the Food Bank’s annual Taste of the Rams event. Sign up for Food Bank emails to be notified when this event will take place in the future.
An amazing community of Los Angeles Chefs also donate their talents to the Food Bank for many of our special events, even during the virtual events in 2020 and 2021. To learn more about our Chef’s Circle program, visit our webpage. Steve Samson. Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, Brooke Williamson, Nyesha Arrington, and many others participate in this amazing program!
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Kelley James brought some friends to volunteer during the pandemic, boxing up food for our senior delivery programs. Learn more about our senior nutrition programs on our website.
The Los Angeles Rams are also strong supporters of the LA Regional Food Bank, ever since they came back to Los Angeles. In addition to the annual Taste of the Rams event, the Rams partnered with ABC7 for a Telethon and hosted multiple food distributions at their new SoFi stadium amid the pandemic, helping thousands of families. The LA Rams team members and the organization also provide significant financial support so that the critical work of the Food Bank can continue. Read this related story >
At one of the distributions located at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Kevin Smith of Mallrats and Jay and Silent Bob surprised many of the people volunteering alongside him. It just goes to show you that you never know who you may end up with if you volunteer at a Food Bank event!
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As part of a Got Milk campaign organized by Feeding America, Matt Bomer of Magic Mike and Jaime Camil from Jane the Virgin volunteered to package fresh vegetables and dairy products at the Food Bank’s headquarters in Los Angeles City.
Jeff Goldblum has donated his talents to the LA Regional Food Bank by voicing the recent overview video located on the Food Bank’s homepage. He has also helped to energize the community to get involved in hunger relief by appearing on the James Corden show and discussing this critical issue
James Corden regularly hosts food-related comedy segments where funds are raised for the LA Regional Food Bank. His spots have included Justin Bieber and Russell Wilson.
Danny Trejo and Wild Horse distributed food in the San Fernando Valley to those who were in need of food assistance amid the pandemic. Most of the food was provided by the LA Regional Food Bank, and the distribution took place in partnership with other organizations.