Celebrities, volunteers help deliver thousands of Thanksgiving meals to critically ill patients

Celebrities, volunteers and elected officials kept a local tradition alive this Thanksgiving, helping Project Angel Food deliver hundreds of meals to critically ill clients across Los Angeles County.

The annual event, held at the organization’s temporary Lincoln Heights kitchen, saw participation from beloved actors, comedians and public figures, including actress Yvette Nicole Brown, journalist and presenter Natalie Morales and the indefinable and incomparable “Weird Al” Yankovic. Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger were also on hand.

Together with 150 volunteers, the celebrities and local civic leaders prepared and delivered 1,500 traditional turkey meals to clients and their caregivers.

Founded in 1989, Project Angel Food prepares and delivers thousands of medically tailored meals annually to 2,700 critically ill individuals in L.A. County. In its 35-year history, the organization has delivered more than 18 million meals, officials say.

The organization is currently operating out of a temporary kitchen while its $51.5 million permanent campus is under construction. That new campus is funded in part by the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, which, alongside Yankovic, presented Project Angel Food with a $25,000 donation during the event.

“This generous grant from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation is a testament to the power of community and compassion,” said Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub. “It will significantly aid us in continuing our mission to nourish and uplift those in need across Los Angeles County.”

In addition to its regular clients, Project Angel Food provided 500 Thanksgiving meals to PATH, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness.

This year’s event was sponsored by L.A. Care Health Plan, and Thanksgiving meals were sponsored by The Stanley & Joyce Black Family Foundation, officials said.