CA Charity Provides Nourishment to Those in Need

Founded in 1989 by internationally acclaimed spiritual author and speaker Marianne Williamson, Project Angel Food is a non-profit organization dedicated to nourishing the body and spirit of people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illness. The charity prepares and delivers nutritious meals, gratis, to those who are too sick to shop and cook for themselves.

From delivering 15 meals a day during its first year, Project Angel Food now delivers more than 13,000 meals per week throughout Los Angeles County. In 2010, 735,000 meals were received by 2,200 men, women, and children in need. To date, the organization has delivered more than 7 million meals.

Despite these impressive figures, Project Angel Food is a very personalized program. Meals, which are prepared by professional chefs and volunteer assistants, are individualized to meet the specific needs of each client. The goal of Project Angel Food is not to be merely a source of food, but also to enhance and maintain the health of its clients. Hence, every person enrolled in the program receives an initial nutrition assessment as well as regular follow-ups on their condition. At the same time, all Project Angel Food menus follow a particular set of nutrition guidelines to ensure proper nourishment.

Aside from preventing hunger by delivering fresh, quality meals, Project Angel Food recognizes the need to care for the spirit of its clients, as most people who are affected by life-threatening illnesses must face isolation, too. Volunteers who make the deliveries also provide human contact, friendship, and compassion. Moreover, Project Angel Food sends gift bags to its clients on special occasions like birthdays and holidays.

From a small grassroots organization, Project Angel Food has grown tremendously over the years thanks to the kindness and generosity of its volunteers and donors. Celebrity supporters include Eric McCormack, Leonard Nimoy, and the late Elizabeth Taylor.