The history of Project Angel Food is over 30 years in the making since the grassroots days of a little kitchen inside the church at Fountain @ Fairfax providing meals for those afflicted with HIV/AIDS.
For the past ten years Richard Ayoub has led Project Angel Food through a transformation. Ayoub recounted his thoughts on social media with thanks to many.
“I had worked in TV news for 17 years, won two Emmys and covered some of the biggest stories on the planet — Princess Diana’s funeral, the OJ Simpson chase and trial, the LA riots, and the Northridge Earthquake.
My goal was to make a difference in my small part of the world. But as I went from El Paso to Tucson to Orlando to LA, I felt my impact became less and less. So I asked the universe, “Should I stop this and do something that makes the world a better place?”
I didn’t know what the answer was until my friend, Bobby Ralston called me and asked if I wold ever consider being interim Executive Director of Project Angel Food because of my compassion, story-telling skills, relationships and fearlessness when it comes to asking for money.
Instead of asking to see budgets or a strategic plan, I said “yes”. When you ask the universe for an answer for years and you get it — there is no other answer.
Somehow Bobby and the Board Chair Joe Mannis convinced the rest of the board to hire this TV producer. That was 10 years ago today. (Nov 18th) And, Iam forever grateful.
Big thank you to David Kessler, who always believed in me and John Gile, who taught me to go with my natural instincts and guided me through some of my toughest days!
I’m proud to say we have achieved a lot in this decade. We went from serving 1,000 people a day to 3,000; we went from 37 employees to 113. When I started we celebrated 10 million meals, just a few weeks ago we reached our 20 millionth.
Our medically-tailored meals are now part of healthcare and we have contracts with five health plans and get reimbursed for meals. We are accredited by the Food is Medicine Coalition and we are a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity.
We went from almost defaulting on the loan for our building to paying it off, buying the property across the street and successfully launching a $51.5 million capital campaign that will result in the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Campus.
Phase One. – our brand new state-of-the-art 18,000 square foot kitchen and food preparation center able to serve three times as many people will open on my birthday December 16.
Of course none of this was done alone — I must thank those who stand by me everyday to keep hope alive —Brad Bessey, Mark McBride, Don Macaulay, Robert Boiler, Mindy Glazer, Benjamin Martin, Kerry Hannawell, and Bill McDermott.
I’ve been fortunate to work with a passionate, hardworking and inspirational board of directors and chairs Joe Bobby, Tim Robinson, Jason Ball, Robin Fujimoto, and now Audrey Schlaepfer.
The 113 people who show up for work everyday, whether it’ COVID, there were protests, fire or rain I value and appreciate you.
The thousands of volunteers who work selfishly to care for people they may never meet, you are the heartbeat of Project Angel Food.
To the supporters who entrust us with their hard earned money to do the right thing, thank you!
And thanks to Marianne Williamson, who inspired your friends David Kessler, Ed Rada, Howard Rosenman, Freddie Weber and legions more to care about people dying of AIDS, then people living with HIV and other illnesses.”
Project Angel Food’s story is still rooted in West Hollywood, even as its reach now spans all of Los Angeles County. What started as a small group cooking meals for neighbors dying of AIDS has evolved into one of the region’s most essential lifelines for people facing illness, poverty, and food insecurity. The mission has grown, but the heart of it hasn’t: volunteers in a kitchen, cooking with purpose for people they may never meet.
If you want to support the work — whether by donating, delivering meals, or volunteering in the kitchen — Project Angel Food welcomes the help. Details on how to get involved can be found here.
It’s a simple way to honor where this organization began, and to help carry its promise forward.
