LA Regional Food Bank Receives $150,000 Grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has received a $150,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation, as part of the private foundation's 2016 grant cycle. The award is supporting the Food Bank's mission to fight hunger in Los Angeles County and directly help the organization distribute healthy and nutritious food to people in need. Founded nearly 45 years ago, the LA Regional Food Bank serves more than 300,000 individuals each month.

"We are so grateful for the incredible support of the S. Mark Taper Foundation," said LA Regional Food Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Flood. "This grant will help the residents in our community who are food insecure – including providing nutritious food for children so that they will experience better health and school performance, and supplying low-income seniors with the dietary requirements that will improve their quality of life."

"The S. Mark Taper Foundation is addressing a critical need in our community," continued Flood. "We cannot emphasize enough the importance of these funds."

"Through direct grants to nonprofits serving our local community, we are committed to improving the lives of our neighbors in need," said Adrienne Wittenberg, Executive Director of the S. Mark Taper Foundation.  "We are proud to support the LA Regional Food Bank's efforts to provide food to those that are hungry, conduct hunger education, and advocate for policies that would alleviate hunger across greater Los Angeles."

One in seven residents of Los Angeles County live with food insecurity and have limited access to food, disrupted eating patterns, and reduced food intake. The Food Bank, through direct distribution and its agency partners, serves the largest county in terms of population in the country.

With support from the S. Mark Taper Foundation and other generous donors, the Food Bank distributed 67 million pounds of food (the equivalent of 55 million meals) in 2016. This included more than 12 million pounds of fresh produce, an increase of 6.5% from the previous year.

About the Food Bank
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, then distributes through a network of 625 partner agencies throughout Los Angeles County providing food to more than 300,000 food insecure clients on a monthly basis. Our staff of 120 is supported by 30,000-plus volunteers who donate more than 170,000 hours of their time to the Food Bank.   

The Food Bank's efficiency and effectiveness led to a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and LA Business Journal named the Food Bank as the "Nonprofit Organization of the Year" among large local organizations in 2013.  In November 2016, the Food Bank distributed its one billionth meal since its inception in 1973. For more information or to get involved, visit lafoodbank.org. You can also follow the Food Bank on social media @LAFoodBank.              

Media Contact: Courtney Morra, cmorra@lafoodbank.org, 1-323-4929254

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SOURCE Los Angeles Regional Food Bank