Project Angel Food Has Long Client Waiting List

Project Angel Food (PAF) faces a lengthy waiting list of clients for its free meals – the first in its 27-year history.

Richard Ayoub, PAF’s executive director, announced today that there are 104 people on this list.

“In our long history, Project Angel Food has always been there to provide meals free of charge to people dealing with critical illness and it will continue to do so,” he said. “That’s why we are asking for public support.”

In an announcement of the waiting list, PAF said “demand is beginning to outstrip the supply of … Project Angel Food estimates that it would cost $2,018 to take one client off the waiting list and feed them for one year.”

PAF said the waiting list is the result of a number of factors, including the economic climate, anticipated cuts in public funding, uncertainty over health care and an aging population that needs help for a much longer period of time.

“Project Angel Food is committed to alleviating this situation immediately, and is resolved to doubling the effort to raise the vital funds necessary to continue to feed the current clients and eliminate the waiting list,” the announcement said. “The goal has always been to feed the needy – now more than ever.”

Project Angel Food has served the community tirelessly, providing more than 10.5 million meals to men and women living with critical illness.

PAF’s kitchens and staff prepare over 11,000 meals a week, free of charge and medically tailored to the requirements of those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Many of its clients are living well below the poverty line.

PAF has a diverse client base, which is 40% Latino, 30% African-American, 21% Caucasian, 5% Asian and 4% of other ethnicities.

Of the clients on its waiting list, 23 have end-stage renal disease. Another 16 have cancer and 14 have HIV/AIDS. Among the other diseases are Alzheimers, breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and paresis.