West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved a $400,000 subsidy to support Project Angel Food’s kitchen renovation, bolstering the organization’s capacity to deliver medically tailored meals to vulnerable residents. The decision, made during the council’s May 5 meeting, allocates funds from unallocated General Fund reserves to enhance the nonprofit’s facilities at 922 and 960 Vine Street.
Project Angel Food, founded in West Hollywood in 1989, has been a cornerstone of community support, initially addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis and now serving individuals with various life-threatening illnesses. Richard Aube, CEO of Project Angel Food, highlighted the organization’s deep ties to the city, noting, “West Hollywood has been a partner with us from the very beginning.” He emphasized the impact of their services, stating that many clients rely on the meals and home visits for both nutrition and human connection, with one client describing volunteers as “the best part of my day.”
The renovation project aims to double the kitchen’s capacity, enabling the production of up to three million meals annually. The staff report details a 30,000-square-foot campus expansion, including a new facility to triple meal output, improve client services, establish a research institute, and engage more volunteers. Between October 2023 and September 2024, Project Angel Food delivered 43,652 meals to West Hollywood residents, addressing food insecurity and health needs.
John L. Gile, former CEO and current volunteer, underscored the organization’s significance, saying, “I get to see people who are alone and very sick, and when we’re there, their life has changed.” He expressed gratitude for the city’s support since 1993, when the organization operated from a church at Fairfax and Fountain.
The council moved Item F.3 to the consent calendar, indicating broad support, with Councilmember Erickson suggesting any comments be addressed under the City Manager’s report. The subsidy is separate from Project Angel Food’s existing social services contracts, ensuring no overlap with ongoing obligations.
This investment aligns with West Hollywood’s strategic goals to support social services and promote community health, as outlined in the staff report. The council’s action reinforces the city’s commitment to ensuring no resident with a serious illness goes without vital nutrition, strengthening a partnership that has defined West Hollywood’s compassionate ethos for decades.
Thanks Citizens of WeHo – Project AngelFood does Amazing work and helps people too sick to cook for themselves with a tasty nutritious meal. People helping people – spot on