The year 2024 was a challenging yet ultimately successful year for the Food Bank as we marked 51 years of service to the communities of Los Angeles County. We continued to respond to the high demand for food assistance from families and individuals due primarily to our area’s high cost of living and the impact of inflation. Thanks to the strong support of food, volunteer, in-kind and financial contributions, the Food Bank and our partner agencies served an average of 947,000 people per month throughout 2024.
2024 Annual Report
Review the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s 2023 Annual Report to learn more about pandemic response and donor highlights.
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Fighting Food and Nutrition Insecurity
Dear Supporters,
GARY KIRKPATRICK
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Michael Flood
President
CEO
Read More >
Working with many partners, the Food Bank acquired and distributed more than 131 million pounds of food and product, valued at $217 million, to families, older adults, children and individuals seeking assistance. In addition, the Food Bank’s Nutrition Education, CalFresh Outreach, Children’s Nutrition and Senior Nutrition programs expanded their reach and service thanks to increased financial support for these programs.
The Food Bank continued to increase the capacity of our more than 600 partner agencies by purchasing refrigerated vans and trucks, commercial refrigerators and freezers and other equipment needed for their sites. This increased capacity allows our agency partners to acquire, store and distribute more perishable, frozen and other foods helping more people seeking food assistance in their community. Our Extra Helpings Program continues to be an efficient food recovery model for our agency partners to access nutritious food in their neighborhoods and distribute the food to people in need.
In September 2024, the State of California requested that our Food Bank increase service to the South Bay area of Los Angeles County due to the issues related to a food bank in Long Beach. Our Food Bank team responded quickly by onboarding more than 100 new partner agencies in a few weeks to ensure that food continued to reach families and individuals in the South Bay.
The goal of our collective efforts is to ensure that our neighbors do not experience the devastating impact of hunger. We are heartened that we live in a place that is the home of so many generous people like you who have made hunger relief a priority, giving those in our community hope for a better and brighter future. Thank you for your support of the Food Bank as we continue to mobilize resources to fight hunger in our community.
Your Impact in 2024
$131
Million
pounds of food and essentials.
$217
Million
in value.
Equivalent to
105
Million
meals.
Vision
No one goes hungry in Los Angeles County.
131 million pounds of food was distributed. Of that, 38 million was fresh produce. 95% of food distributed was rated as nutritious or highly nutritious
Fighting Child Hunger
Child hunger is more than just an empty stomach. It affects nearly every aspect of a child’s life, from their physical health to their ability to concentrate and succeed in school. Without proper nutrition, children are at a higher risk of developmental delays, weakened immune systems, and chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease later in life. Hunger also takes a toll on a child’s emotional well-being, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and difficulty focusing in the classroom.
Julio, a father of three, including a newborn and a child with special needs, lost his job, making it difficult to put food on the table. Thankfully, the LA Regional Food Bank and its partner agency, Sowing Seeds, provide essential support, including nutritious food and holiday distributions. Programs like the After-School Meal Program, BackPack Program, and Summer Meal Program ensure children receive the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive
Investing in Our Future
“In order for our kids to achieve success, we have to offer these programs,”
Thomas J. Lynch
Principal of Friends of St. Lawrence-Watts Youth Center.
FOOD AND NUTRITION INSECURITY IS DEVASTATING FOR CHILDREN.
No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, yet far too many do. Going to school on an empty stomach can hinder a child’s ability to learn and reach their full potential. In Los Angeles County alone, an estimated one in four children may not know when they will get their next meal. This lack of reliable nutrition in childhood puts their health, development, and future success at risk, underscoring how dire the crisis of child hunger truly is.
Client Stories
“We’re a single-income household, so this really helps, especially with
how outrageous grocery prices have gotten. Every time I stand in
line, I see families from all kinds of backgrounds, countries, and ages. I know so many people are deeply thankful for this resource. Some families might not have food without it. I’m very grateful. It’s definitely a lifeline. I always get excited afterward to see what we got and to look up recipes. We end up making some pretty yummy meals we might not have made otherwise.”
– Anthony & Ariella
“It makes me happy knowing my children are eating and not going hungry. We feel blessed because they’re eating. There are other children who aren’t able to eat. I just want to say thank you for everything you’ve done. Even the smallest gesture means a lot, it’s a very big blessing. Because there are people who don’t have what we have. Just having one meal a day is more than a blessing.”
– Zulia
I’m here out of necessity. Everything is very expensive at the stores, so what we get here is very helpful.
— Maria Teresa
Helping Older Adults
Older adults are among the most vulnerable populations to struggle with food insecurity. The rising costs of food, rent, utilities, and everyday essentials are making it difficult for seniors to survive on a fixed income. Many opt to skip meals or perhaps medications to make it through the month.
Without proper nutrition, more senior adults risk increased disability, decreased resistance to infections, weakened immune systems, and declined mental health. Older adults must maintain a nutritious diet, as doctors often prescribe medicine, assuming that patients reach a healthy caloric intake threshold.
Maria Teresa is one of the hundreds of individuals who attend the food distribution at Hollywood Community Housing, a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank partner agency. Though she receives a retirement check and CalFresh benefits, it’s simply not enough for her and her family to consistently put food on the table. Therefore, the food distributions made possible by the Food Bank help supplement what she receives, adding an extra dose of nutritious food.
Philanthropic gifts provide older adults with the dignity and security they deserve, especially those facing food insecurity. For many seniors, the rising cost of living means making difficult choices between food, medication, and housing, all while living on a fixed income.
My husband, he’s supposed to be retired, but he continues to work,” says Chong, a retiree who relies on food distributions from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “I’m retired, so I’m doing something for my family, and the Food Bank helps.
Help Alleviate Hunger for Vulnerable Populations, Including Older Adults and Children
For more information, please contact Roger Castle, Chief Development Officer, at rcastle@lafoodbank.org or by phone at (323) 234-3030 x 147
Thank You,
Team #WeFeedLA!
Elementary schools, high schools, college organizations, and various companies hosted fundraising events to support the Food Bank’s mission that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County. We would like to give a special thanks to USC Panhellenic, who hosted two fundraisers and raised over $19,000. Thank you USC, and all of our #WeFeedLA participants, for making our work possible.
Top Fundraiser of the Year
Jim Yukevich Fundraising Campaign
Fighting food insecurity during a pandemic has allowed community members to think outside the box to rally their network of family, friends and colleagues to help families in need. Through Team #WeFeedLA, our online fundraising platform, we have witnessed unmatched creativity, kindness and compassion in the form of campaign launches, matching gifts, birthday fundraisers and more. We are inspired by those who stepped up during a critical time to get involved and to energize those around them to help combat the growing food-insecure problems in LA County.
Thank you to our top-performing campaigns
(Fundraisers raising more than $1,000)
The 6th Annual All In One Night!
Alan Taylor Real Estate Group | Compass
Ari Kleiman’s Retirement
Greystar Giving SoCal
Hermosa Valley Empty Bowls
Jones Day Annual Charity Auction
King’s Hawaiian
Kirkland & Ellis
Lee Rosenthal’s 30th Anniversary at Paramount Pictures
Let’s Send Hunger Packing Malena Duran’s Birthday
Musick Peeler
NSBE Los Angeles Professionals
Retired Employees of LA County
Rosewood Hotel Group
Spectrum News
Staar Surgical
Team Tigertail
USC Row Fest
Wilson Sonsini
Susan Krebs
Yelp LA Badge Party
Ziffren Brittenham
City of Industry Grand Opening
On June 22, 2024, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank held the grand opening of its City of Industry Distribution Center. Thanks to generous donors, the Food Bank acquired and renovated the space, significantly increasing its capacity and its partner agency network throughout LA County.
The new facility will help provide food and nutrition assistance to more neighbors than ever before. It will enable the Food Bank to continue to expand essential nutrition assistance programs that address food and nutrition insecurity across the County.
The space was optimized as a state-of-theart food bank to fight hunger effectively. Renovations included the construction of 40,000 sq. ft. of cooler and freezer space, pallet racking and production areas, a loading dock with 20 dock positions and a LED lighting installation.
The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation sponsored the Freeberg Conference Center for $1 million. The Center consists of several conference and media rooms for nutrition education training, policy meetings, agency training, and convening other constituent groups to help in the fight against hunger in our community.
The Food Bank’s City of Industry Distribution Center will substantially improve the Food Bank’s operations and increase capacity through agency partnerships and direct distributions.
Events
A Million Reasons
The Third Annual “A Million Reasons” Fundraising Event united nearly 200 guests who came together to support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and its work to alleviate hunger throughout LA County. The fundraising event was hosted by Food Bank board member and Platinum donors Keith Addis and his wife Keri Selig at their home in the Hollywood Hills. It was made possible by generous sponsors, including United Airlines who was the presenting sponsor. The evening included an exclusive performance by five- time GRAMMY® Award nominee, Robin Thicke.
Taste of the Rams
With Andrew Whitworth as the Master of Ceremonies, hundreds of individuals gathered at SoFi Stadium for the Ninth Annual Taste of the Rams. Delicious food and beverages were prepared by renowned local chefs. The proceeds benefit the essential work of the LA Regional Food Bank.
Food From The Bar
Food From The Bar gathers legal firms, law schools, and legal services organizations to see who can raise the most funds, acquire the most food, and work the most volunteer hours to feed the children of Los Angeles County over the summer months. Since the campaign began in Los Angeles in 2009, it has raised more than $6.5 million.
Season for Sharing
In The 22nd Annual Season for Sharing, emceed by ABC Michelle Fisher, ABC7 Eyewitness News weekend anchor, the Food Bank honored donors, individuals, and organizations that made a significant contribution to the fight against hunger in Los Angeles County
More of Events
ABC’s Feed SoCal
In its 13th year, ABC7’s Feed SoCal united businesses, media, and community supporters to fight hunger across Southern California. The campaign collected over 7,500 pounds of food, and raised more than $140,000 to benefit local food banks, including the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Key partners, Stater Bros. Markets, Subaru, Helpful Honda, and others, helped ensure that nutritious food reached those who needed it most.
NBC4/Telemundo 52’s Help for the Hungry
NBC4 and Telemundo 52’s Help For The Hungry campaign continued its longstanding tradition of raising funds and awareness around nutrition insecurity. In partnership with Ralphs, Food 4 Less, and generous donors, the initiative has raised millions of dollars over the years. This past holiday season, the campaign featured a major food distribution at Central City Neighborhood Partners, providing critical nutrition assistance to hundreds of families in need.
Campaign Update
In 2017, the LA Regional Food Bank distributed 68.5 million pounds of food and other products. By 2024, that number nearly doubled to 131 million pounds. Food distribution increased by 12% in 2024 when compared to 2023. The LA Regional Food Bank and our partners helped an average of 947,000 people monthly. Visit LAFoodBank.org/building-hope for more information.
Thank you to our Campaign Cabinet
Donald Goodman
Co-Chair
Robert & Jane Ettinger
Co-Chairs
Keith Addis
Michael Flood
Brian & Karen Hennigan
Susan Leonard
Michael Montgomery
Robert Perille
Whitney Jones Roy
Mark Stegemoeller
Honor Roll of Donors
Tomorrow Legacy Society
Founded to recognize donors who provide support through a bequest or planned gift
Top Product Donors
Led by its Community Service Director, Diva Jones Moses, she recalls a mother and her daughter in the community attending their food distributions. The family was there to pick up food not just for themselves, but for their neighbors in need who may be too shy or proud to ask for help. The family returned on a day when there wasn’t a distribution scheduled, but they stopped by just to let Jones Moses and her crew know how grateful they were for their services.
“You don’t know the impact you’re having in the community. We get calls all the time from people asking if we have food. We are here to serve the community.”
Diva Jones Moses
Volunteer Spotlight
Lisa Tate
Lisa has dedicated over 1,000 hours to fighting hunger in our community. From packing essential food kits for our older adult programs, distributing food to families experiencing food insecurity, sorting fresh produce, and warmly welcoming new and returning volunteers—Lisa does it all.
Everyone can do something to help fight hunger.
Volunteer
Tens of thousands of volunteers gave their time and energy to the Food Bank. Without these volunteers, the Food Bank would need to hire additional full-time employees in order to meet the demand. Become a Hunger Hero who helps make our work possible.
Donate in Honor or in Memory
Honor the memory of a loved one or celebrate a friend or family member by making a tribute gift.
Start a #WeFeedLa Fundraiser
A #WeFeedLA team page is a fast, easy and convenient way to feed hungry neighbors in our community.
Join Our Monthly Giving Program
Through a monthly gift charged automatically to your credit card or other payment account, you can alleviate hunger in LA County. Your gift allows us to provide nutritious meals all year long.
Join the Legacy Society
Planned giving involves planning for a future gift to the Food Bank through your financial and estate plans.
Have Your Gift Matched
Double your impact by having your gift matched by your company if your employer has a matching gift program.